Tevez as good as Juventus icon Zidane - Lippi

The former Bianconeri boss believes that the Argentine has established himself as "the leader of the team" - just as the Frenchman did under him in the 1990s

Marcello Lippi has hailed Juventus striker Carlos Tevez, claiming he is as good as former France superstar Zinedine Zidane.

Tevez has been in magnificent form this season, scoring eight goals in all competitions and six in Serie A, with the Bianconeri currently topping the table with a 100 per cent record.

Consequently, Lippi feels that Tevez is proving just as influential as former charge Zidane, who inspired Juve to two Serie A titles during his five years in Turin during the 1990s.

"Tevez is playing so well that he reminds me of Juve's best days. He has reached the level that Zidane was at while at Juventus," Lippi told Tuttosport.

"He is now a leader of the team and he has not missed one step.

"He is so unique. There is no phenomenon like him, not even at Roma, who have many highly talented players."

Lippi added: "The squad is very experienced. Tevez is doing great things for Juventus but Juventus is doing great things for Tevez also.

"As a former coach of Juventus, with the club in my heart, I can only wish that the team takes off in the Champions League."

Lippi, who also hailed Roma's Miralem Pjanic as a "great player", ended by stating that Arturo Vidal will stay at Juventus despite again being linked with a transfer away from the club.

"His future is in Turin, and I think that the Chilean has already said that," he concluded.