There was a buzz of anticipation when Vincenzo Iaquinta replaced Hasan Salihamidžić in the 62nd minute of Sunday's game between Juventus and SSC Napoli. Until then, Claudio Ranieri's men had been frustrated by the resilient visitors, but the introduction of the Italy striker, who has come to the team's rescue as a substitute several times this season, immediately lifted the spirits of the Stadio Olympico faithful.
Late winner
Iaquinta has needed to show considerable patience in Turin following his €11.3m move from Udinese Calcio last summer, spending much of the campaign on the substitutes' bench. Yet virtually every time he has come on, he has had an impact on proceedings – and Sunday was no different. The 28-year-old added strength and mobility to the Bianconeri front line and, in the 88th minute, he struck the winning goal, collecting an acrobatic lay-off from Alessandro Del Piero and firing clinically home right-footed.
Azzurri hopes
It was the fifth time Iaquinta had scored as a substitute for Juventus, once again underlining his value to Italy coach Roberto Donadoni just two-and-a-half months before UEFA EURO 2008™. "I want to keep wearing the Azzurri jersey and I definitely want go to the [UEFA] European Championship," said the 22-time Italian international. "Donadoni knows how I feel about my country and how determined I am to go, even if I'm not playing regularly at Juve. I'm happy to be at least contributing to the team and I hope this goal has sent him a message."
Exemplary attitude
Iaquinta has scored eight times in 20 league games for Juventus, and while just eight of those appearances have been as a starter, he has never once complained to Ranieri about team selection. "I thought I would have more playing time, but Juventus have many great players," he said on Sunday. "I just have to work hard and try to convince the coach match after match." That same exemplary attitude has made Iaquinta popular with coaches throughout his career. "He is a great champion," Ranieri said. "I'm really happy to have such a reliable player."
Lippi choice
Former Azzurri coach Marcello Lippi is another Iaquinta fan. Lippi was criticised in some quarters for naming him in his 2006 FIFA World Cup squad, yet the vital role he played as an extra-time substitute in the semi-final win over Germany justified the coach's choice, as well as earning the Juventus man new admirers in his homeland. With Iaquinta continuing to show his worth as a key member of the Juventus squad, Donadoni seems likely to emulate Lippi's choice in Austria and Switzerland this summer.
