Del Piero: «We're doing something great»
It's Alessandro Del Piero's day: his first press conference of the year, a year that has already seen him in an absolutely starring role, with a goal at Catania, one in the Italian Cup, and his condition always improving.
Del Piero is a leader on the pitch, in the changing rooms, and also in the press room. He sent clear and straightforward messages to everybody; they can be summed up in one thought: «We're doing great things, but we have to give something more. Everybody, that is: players, staff and Club officials».
First part of the season assessment. «This is an important moment for us. We've done a lot; we've all worked very hard. Both those that have done well, and those that have done less well than expected, but we mustn't put the blame on anyone for this. We achieved some good results and our League position is excellent. In front of us we have Inter Milan; they're stronger than anyone else because of the sheer number of players they have and the awareness of their own strength. Compared to the Nerazzurri, but also to AC Milan and Roma, we have had to face a lot more problems, because we changed so many players. But we’ve overcome those problems».
We can give more. «Praise and nice words, but most of all the results we've achieved, have to motivate us. We're doing something really great, but we have to give more. All of us: players, staff and Club officials. We have to strive in all areas if we want to continue flying high in the League and to keep dreaming».
One day at a time. «We can't afford to think in the long term this year. We have to take one day at a time, match after match, knowing that if we're not careful, we'll struggle. Just look at the Italian Cup. In the first leg, Empoli played better than us and won, and they also gave us a hard time in the return match. And it'll be the same in Sunday's match against Sampdoria, already complicated due to all our injuries».
Few regrets. «We lost one match hitting the woodwork three times, other times we salvaged the result in the nick of time. Over the course of a season, things tend to even out in the end. Sometimes we would've deserved more than we got, other times less. We can't say we've had a surprising season, but it's proving to be an excellent one, considering the problems we faced».
Champions League yes. «Qualifying for the Champions League offers a lot, not only in terms of money for the Club. It gives you ambition and the joy of playing it, it offers exciting games. It's a fantastic objective to reach and to play for».
Champions League no. «Will it be a failed season if we don't end up in one of the first four positions?
The fundamental thing this year is to arrive at the end with the knowledge that we've given all we had. Just like we've done up until now. But, I repeat, this isn't enough. We have to give even more. We've done well but we cannot afford to let our guard down. We have to keep this way of thinking in our minds at all times».
We never give up. «One of the more positive things is that we've kept those traits such as our pride, the desire to win always, and the trust between us. This is demonstrated by the many points we got in the last minutes of matches».
Responsibility. «We've never failed to take our responsibility. At the moment I don't feel I have more responsibility compared to last year or the previous years. I always feel a lot of it around me and this is fair».
The newcomers' problems. «I don't really want to talk about those who haven't been able to give their best. The only thing I can say is that in terms of spirit and commitment, everyone has given 100%; having said that, it happens to everyone to go through highs and lows».
Transfers. «The Club hasn't asked me for advice on transfers, and that's fair. It's up to the management staff to operate and decide. This way I have a clearer mind to concentrate on my football».
Against Inter Milan in the cup. «We'll live this challenge intensely, but so will they. Against Empoli, we were motivated anyway. I hope they'll be two spectacular and intense matches and that we can qualify for the semi-finals. The Italian Cup is something we value; these are the only cup games we're playing this year».
My personal season crescendo. «I began the season training on my own;
I could only improve my condition 
. Joking apart, I got progressively better. Goals help in highlighting my good condition and I'm glad they came. I'm pleased about my current physical and psychological condition. I don't think about those that already four years ago thought I couldn't play for the whole 90 minutes. I think about those who believed in me, it's also thanks to them that I transformed my work into positive energy».
The National team and the European Championships objective. «Donadoni is free to choose who he wants in his team. My only thought is trying to do well, as I'm doing, so that I can be called up. I've almost always been a part of the group and I'd like to continue being a part of it. For now I'm concentrating only on Juventus, because only by doing well here can I have the chance to be called up. The National team represents the peak for a player and if I won't be taking part in the European Championships, well, never mind. I'll do something else during those months».
http://www.juventus.com/site/eng/NEWS_newsseriea_CF796444247E47A185B63BC08142BEFE.asp
Grande Capitano!