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Juventus deserve to be ahead of Inter, insists Stramaccioni
Dec 14, 2012 2:45:00 PM
The Nerazzurri boss believes that the Bianconeri are more consistent than his side and calls for better results when his team go up against weaker opposition
| Bet: | Returns: | Roma £26.00 | Draw £33.00 | Lazio £28.75 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Roma £25.00 | Draw £32.00 | Lazio £28.80 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Roma £26.00 | Draw £32.50 | Lazio £27.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Roma £25.00 | Draw £33.00 | Lazio £28.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Roma £23.70 | Draw £34.00 | Lazio £28.70 |
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The Milan side currently sit second behind table-toppers Juventus, who the coach believes are more consistent in their matches against weaker opponents and therefore deserve to lead Serie A.
"Juventus? They've shown they're more consistent, not only in their results but in their individual performances," the 36-year-old told reporters at the press conference ahead of the Lazio match.
"That's why they deserve to be ahead of us. We knew we could beat them on a one-off match but their project is a year further on than ours and they have great players and replacements in every position."
However, the trainer is proud of his teams' display against tough opponents.
"The performances we've shown against our main rivals prove that we can compete. We rue the points we've dropped but this shows we still have room for improvement. It'd be worse if we'd lost to the top clubs."
He then took the time to focus on their next challenge against the fourth-placed Biancocelesti, giving credit to their Bosnian coach.
"Lazio have had a very good first part of the season," he added. "I remember at the start people weren't sure about Vladimir Petkovic, but everyone has changed their mind on account of his work and his players' performances.
"They're a match for anyone. They only came undone at Napoli but Lazio are one of Italy's top sides."
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Live!
Champions League final - LIVE!
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.
7:40 PM BST
However, former Dortmund attacker Marcio Amoroso believes the fact that Bayern are being widely tipped to win counts for nothing tonight.
"Everyone says Bayern are the favourites, and I believe they are. But when it comes to the real thing, that doesn't exist. They'll be playing in neutral field, with split fans... When it comes to the fans, I think Borussia is much better served."
"Everyone says Bayern are the favourites, and I believe they are. But when it comes to the real thing, that doesn't exist. They'll be playing in neutral field, with split fans... When it comes to the fans, I think Borussia is much better served."
7:37 PM BST
Let's here from a couple of Brazilians with a keen interest in this game. First, former Bayern midfielder Ze Roberto, who has some interesting things to say on this all-German final.
"The German school has always been one of strength rather than technique. Today, they have found the perfect balance between the two things. That's why they've grown so much in the last few years. This final between two Germans shows the strength of the country's football.
"But the biggest difference between my Bayern and today's Bayern is that today the team is really forward-driven. It's a strong group, that plays together for a long time. They have a very experienced coach. And the players are all of international level. I see Bayern more prepared for the final.
"It will be a very good final, but I think Bayern has the advantage."
"The German school has always been one of strength rather than technique. Today, they have found the perfect balance between the two things. That's why they've grown so much in the last few years. This final between two Germans shows the strength of the country's football.
"But the biggest difference between my Bayern and today's Bayern is that today the team is really forward-driven. It's a strong group, that plays together for a long time. They have a very experienced coach. And the players are all of international level. I see Bayern more prepared for the final.
"It will be a very good final, but I think Bayern has the advantage."
7:32 PM BST
Very worrying scenes for Bayern fans!!! Bastian Schweinsteiger is struggling. He's receiving treatment on an apparent ankle injury after being levelled by a strong challenge from Mario Mandzukic during the warm-up. Yes, you've read that right: Schweinsteiger has been injured by his team-mate!
However, the watching Christoph Metzelder is in no doubt that the Bayern midfielder will still start, telling Sky Germany: "As long as he can shoot he will play."
However, the watching Christoph Metzelder is in no doubt that the Bayern midfielder will still start, telling Sky Germany: "As long as he can shoot he will play."
7:29 PM BST
Right, just to explain, we have three representatives at Wembley tonight:
- Tim Rohn, Goal Germany correspondent
- Stefan Doring, Dortmund fan
- Tobias Kind, Bayern fan
Let's check in with Tim to get a taste of the pre-game atmosphere inside the ground ...
"30 minutes to go until kick-off and the atmosphere is already amazing. Both groups of fans sing songs to rile the other ones. But everythings is peaceful. Jurgen Klopp stood some minutes alone at the kick-off-point and let all the Wembley madness have an effect on him."
- Tim Rohn, Goal Germany correspondent
- Stefan Doring, Dortmund fan
- Tobias Kind, Bayern fan
Let's check in with Tim to get a taste of the pre-game atmosphere inside the ground ...
"30 minutes to go until kick-off and the atmosphere is already amazing. Both groups of fans sing songs to rile the other ones. But everythings is peaceful. Jurgen Klopp stood some minutes alone at the kick-off-point and let all the Wembley madness have an effect on him."
7:25 PM BST
The phrase 'mixed emotions' seems made for Matthias Sammer, the legendary sweeper who inspired Dortmund to Champions League glory in 1997 but who is now employed by Bayern Munich. However, he's doing a pretty decent job of putting his old allegiances to one side ahead of tonight's final.
"It is hard to talk about feelings ahead of a match," the Bayern sporting director told Sky Sport Germany. "We want to show what made us strong all these weeks.
"We may not forget that Dortmund lost twice and drew twice in our last four matches. But they will present themselves differently tonight, that is for sure."
"It is hard to talk about feelings ahead of a match," the Bayern sporting director told Sky Sport Germany. "We want to show what made us strong all these weeks.
"We may not forget that Dortmund lost twice and drew twice in our last four matches. But they will present themselves differently tonight, that is for sure."
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