Pavel Nedved believes Italian football should follow Juventus’” data-scaytid=”3″>Juventus’ example if Serie A is to bridge the gap to other top European Leagues.
Pavel Nedved believes Italian football should follow Juventus’ example if Serie A is to bridge the gap to other top European Leagues.
The former midfielder, who played 385 games in Serie A for Juventus and Lazio” data-scaytid=”9″>Lazio, was in Prague for the European Under-21 Championship draw, which will be hosted in his native Czech Republic.
After seeing Gigi Di Biagio’s Italy handed England, Portugal and Sweden, the 42-year-old spoke on Czech television about Juventus and Serie A, declaring that Italian football must ‘wake up’.
“The gap between Bayern [Munich] and the Italian teams is big,” Nedved admitted.
“We saw that with Juventus as well two seasons ago, although it wasn’t as dramatic [as Roma’s 9-1 defeat over two games].
“Italian football is no longer as good as it was in the past, we can all see that. But I think it can return to the top.
“Italy has fallen asleep – it must wake up.
“Juventus have our own stadium, and it’s sold out for every game. Other clubs should follow this example in order to be born again.
“The Juventus Stadium and Museum are two of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my footballing career, I’m very proud to be part of this period in Juventus’ history.”
The Ballon d’Or winner also gave his thoughts on which player should take home the title this year – but insists he wouldn’t swap one of Juve’s stars for him.
“At a big club, your goalkeeper has to make one or two saves a game, but should always be decisive.
“[Bayern Munich’s Manuel] Neuer is very good, and should be rewarded [with the Ballon d’Or], but if I was offered a trade with Buffon, I’d keep Gigi.
“I’d definitely keep Gigi! At this moment in time, Neuer, Gigi and [Thibaut] Courtois are the best goalkeepers in the world.”
Nedved spent eight years as a Juventus player, staying loyal to the club when the Old Lady were relegated to Serie B in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal, a decision which has earned the Czech the undying loyalty of the Juve faithful.
“The fans have always been great with me. Even now they sing about me when I’m sitting in the stands.
“It gives me chills every time, I can only thank them.”
The ‘Czech Fury’ was also an important player for the national side, winning 91 caps for the Czech Republic.
Former Milan and Udinese player Marek Jankulovski joined Nedved in the studio and revealed an amusing story about the ex-Sparta Prague man.
“At the European Championships in 2004, after a historic [3-2] win over the Netherlands, we decided to celebrate by going for a beer,” Jankulovski recalled.
“We went to Pavel’s room and found him in his pyjamas!”