French legend remembers intense years in Turin and explains why Juventus fell quick in Europe
“My teammates saved me from an indignant mob”: Zidane Reveals a Horrifying Story From His Juventus Days
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Zinedine Zidane shared exceptional tales from his Juventus days recalling how late membership proprietor Gianni Agnelli would name him at 6 in morning to congratulate him after matches and the way teammates as soon as protected him from indignant followers.
“Agnelli Known as Me at 6 AM to Say ‘Bravo'”
Talking on the Competition Dello Sport organized by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Zidane described his time in Turin as each demanding & formative:
“My years at Juventus had been fantastic. In France soccer was lovely however not as severe as in Italy. At Juve profitable was obligatory. even if you happen to misplaced away, it was unacceptable” he mentioned.
He continued:
“After good video games or objectives, we’d get house round 3 or 4 AM and at 6, Agnelli would name me and say ‘Congratulations’ in French .. then hold up. He cherished soccer & understood it deeply”
“It Was Bodily Powerful … I Needed to Adapt”
Zidane admitted he initially struggled with Juventus’ intense bodily calls for:
“I requested myself, ‘Why’re they pushing me so laborious? I simply got here to play soccer’ However then I noticed I needed to put together like that for total season”
He praised his former teammate Alessandro Del Piero as “one of many strongest and finest gamers in Italy” including: “I used to be fortunate to share 4 or 5 yr with him and different greats like Montero, Padovano and Boksic”
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Zidane additionally revealed horrifying incident:
“After dangerous away recreation, some followers tried to assault me on the airport however Fonseca & Montero defended me”
Why Juventus Failed within the Champions League
Reflecting on Juve’s European heartbreaks in 1997 & 1998, Zidane mentioned:
“The Champions League’s robust. You want all the things to be proper … the membership, the preparation, the mindset. If you wish to win, the membership should be absolutely behind you”
Zidane received 2 Serie A titles with Juventus earlier than becoming a member of Actual Madrid in 2001 the place he lastly lifted the champions league trophy the next yr.