Il Capitano Alessandro Del Piero (90 Viewers)
- Thread starter Chxta
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Pringles (2005-04-13)
I think it's something that happened to many of us, to ask themselves who is the winner of a contest we took part of. Some time ago I had the pleasure to satisfy my curiosity and to meet Matteo, 37 years old from Turin and winner of the Pringles contest (that sees me as testimonial). An all time Juventus supporter and keen on rugby: we share the same interests! Here you can see some pictures of when we met.
I think it's something that happened to many of us, to ask themselves who is the winner of a contest we took part of. Some time ago I had the pleasure to satisfy my curiosity and to meet Matteo, 37 years old from Turin and winner of the Pringles contest (that sees me as testimonial). An all time Juventus supporter and keen on rugby: we share the same interests! Here you can see some pictures of when we met.
Auguri Over the years many articles have been written about this player making him a household name. He is often criticized, or praised depending on who you are. The player I am talking about is Alessandro Del Piero. Recently he broke Giampiero Boniperti’s record of 182 goals for Juventus. In doing so, he has rewritten history and in turn perhaps silenced some critics. As of now, he is close to 190 goals for the club, and if he features more often in the Juve line-up, then by May he could reach 200.
Foto articolo
It was not always easy as one would think. Over the past two seasons with Capello he was benched often and rumors linked him with a move to Palermo, Milan, or an English team. In September he made it clear to the media that he was not a bench warmer and the often calm and mild mannered Del Piero showed some emotion. Lapp Elkan, who owns Juventus (well, his family does) along with holding a senior position, stated that he would love to have Cassano, and that Del Piero had outlived his usefulness in distant contrast to his late grandfather who nicknamed Del Piero, Pinturicchio. This prompted an outrage from fans and players and Moggi had to do damage control. However, he did state that Juve wanted Cassano. Now was this a way to appease Elkan or his usual mind games for which he is so well known? Many insiders and Juve fans know Moggi’s triad does not get along with Elkan’s triad. Moggi and the boys see Juve as their team as it was they who initiated the cycle of success and they do have a point in this case. Moreover, they have done well with limited funds and keeping it at an arms distance from the FIAT Empire so if the FIAT group fell, Juve would not be in total chaos. Anyway, there would be plenty of bidders if Juve was put on sale. What rich man/woman would not want the most successful team in Italy?
However, Del Piero stayed calm and did his thing: play well. He knew that if he wanted a spot on the Azzurri and for Juve he would have to make efficient use of his time. He did. The Cassano affair was hotly debated in media outlets along with blogs and forums, and I wrote an article, The Sacrificial Lamb, in which I mentioned Del Piero was now like Roberto Baggio. He was now the old man being shown the door to make way for the new blood. Now if it was posted I do not know, but anyway as events unfolded, my article was half correct. Oh well, my critics see faults in every article I do anyway. However, let us revisit some of the topics in that article, avoiding the biographical details, for every hard DP fan knows where he was born and where he first played. Moreover, there will be other articles in which I can add statistical information.
After 1994, Italy was looking for a new hero as Baggio’s missed penalty cost him some brownie points. However, I believe that if the divino codino was on two legs instead of one, Italy could have celebrated their fourth World Cup. Sacchi made coaching mistakes and Signori should have been used for the shoot-out as he was the best penalty taker at that time. It was not meant to be; hence Italy looked for a new hero. The pundits saw a young lad who was highly talented: Del Piero. He indeed was and he was tipped to lead Italy.
He indeed did. His career at Juventus was going well and he won the CL in 1996. He was picked for Euro 96. However, he made little impact as Italy bowed out in the first round. Del Piero was playing well and he scored a great goal in the 1997 CL final in which Juve lost, but it was not all bad as Juve won the Scudetto. 1998 was also a good year as Juve won the Scudetto and finished 2nd in Europe. His free kicks were deadly and he was maturing as a player as he was passing more. 1998 was to be his World Cup. Baggio was second fiddle. Cesare Maldini made it clear that Alex was to lead the team. It was a horrible mistake as he was lost and confused and he made no impact whatsoever. Del Piero failed as the critics would say, but did he? Did not the coach fail him? The Azzurri bowed out of France 98 in a shootout and the team that was supposed to go one up went two down. The Italian Federation was disappointed and called for an inquiry. Zoff was named head coach. Del Piero also injured his knee and was out for most of the season.
Then came Euro 2000. Many saw Italy as a has-been team with no talent and the good old days were gone. As dumbfounded as it was this was the belief. When Italy qualified for the Semifinals they had to search for hotels. Well Totti had a good Euro and Zoff laid the foundations for a new team that was united, disciplined with the chance to do better in 2002. Del Piero missed two golden opportunities to finish the game and France won with a golden goal. However, the luck has run out as of late as France have not even half of the talent of Italy and they are seen as one hit wonders. If they played France in a friendly or when they meet in Euro qualifying the Azzurri have the upper hand. If they can beat Holland why not France? Del Piero was seen as the scapegoat and critics stated he was never the same player since he injured his knee. He was down and out as seen on the pitch that day, but his friends knew better.
Well, 2002 came and Trappatoni put his faith in Totti. Italy again was looking for a new hero and many thought he would get the job done. But Italy struggled and it was a last minute header from Alex that got the Azzurri to the second round. He played well, but the Trap did not allow him to have a good World Cup. At Euro 2004 he was recovering from a previous injury and he too failed here, but the team failed as a whole as the coaching tactics were below par. 1-0 was not enough to win games. The sacrificial lamb was fed to the lions again. He was gaining experience but he was not allowed to showcase his talents.
Then 2005 saw Capello come to Turin. He immediately set his plan into motion and Del Piero was a sub. However, as a sub he was playing well and he was avoiding injury. Fabio wanted a player and the wake up call served him well as he had become somewhat complacent. Lippi too agreed with Capello and told DP that he needed to earn his keep. Well he has done so this year.
Now should he go to Germany or stay home? Well he has had a great season and like Totti is performing well. Juve are leading in Italy and are in contention for the CL. He already broke a record and there is still time to score more. If Juve win the CL and Scudetto then he should be part of the team. Cassano is young and inexperience can cost them big. There is space for Cassano, Totti and Del Piero. The sacrificial lamb could be the wolf in sheep’s disguise in Germany. Italy has the team to do it and he can take them to the next level and get his ultimate vindication.
In short auguri to Alex in rewriting history and let’s see if he can continue to do so. He is playing well and Capello’s shock therapy did him good. Well best of fortune in the coming months and let’s see what Lippi thinks. He is well mannered (has he ever spat on a player?) and disciplined unlike some of his critics who like to put powder up their noses. Now to pose a question to the fans and foes alike? Do you know who I am alluding to?
Bruno Cardile
-------------------------------------------------------------
InLife InDeath Forever Il Capitano.
Foto articolo
It was not always easy as one would think. Over the past two seasons with Capello he was benched often and rumors linked him with a move to Palermo, Milan, or an English team. In September he made it clear to the media that he was not a bench warmer and the often calm and mild mannered Del Piero showed some emotion. Lapp Elkan, who owns Juventus (well, his family does) along with holding a senior position, stated that he would love to have Cassano, and that Del Piero had outlived his usefulness in distant contrast to his late grandfather who nicknamed Del Piero, Pinturicchio. This prompted an outrage from fans and players and Moggi had to do damage control. However, he did state that Juve wanted Cassano. Now was this a way to appease Elkan or his usual mind games for which he is so well known? Many insiders and Juve fans know Moggi’s triad does not get along with Elkan’s triad. Moggi and the boys see Juve as their team as it was they who initiated the cycle of success and they do have a point in this case. Moreover, they have done well with limited funds and keeping it at an arms distance from the FIAT Empire so if the FIAT group fell, Juve would not be in total chaos. Anyway, there would be plenty of bidders if Juve was put on sale. What rich man/woman would not want the most successful team in Italy?
However, Del Piero stayed calm and did his thing: play well. He knew that if he wanted a spot on the Azzurri and for Juve he would have to make efficient use of his time. He did. The Cassano affair was hotly debated in media outlets along with blogs and forums, and I wrote an article, The Sacrificial Lamb, in which I mentioned Del Piero was now like Roberto Baggio. He was now the old man being shown the door to make way for the new blood. Now if it was posted I do not know, but anyway as events unfolded, my article was half correct. Oh well, my critics see faults in every article I do anyway. However, let us revisit some of the topics in that article, avoiding the biographical details, for every hard DP fan knows where he was born and where he first played. Moreover, there will be other articles in which I can add statistical information.
After 1994, Italy was looking for a new hero as Baggio’s missed penalty cost him some brownie points. However, I believe that if the divino codino was on two legs instead of one, Italy could have celebrated their fourth World Cup. Sacchi made coaching mistakes and Signori should have been used for the shoot-out as he was the best penalty taker at that time. It was not meant to be; hence Italy looked for a new hero. The pundits saw a young lad who was highly talented: Del Piero. He indeed was and he was tipped to lead Italy.
He indeed did. His career at Juventus was going well and he won the CL in 1996. He was picked for Euro 96. However, he made little impact as Italy bowed out in the first round. Del Piero was playing well and he scored a great goal in the 1997 CL final in which Juve lost, but it was not all bad as Juve won the Scudetto. 1998 was also a good year as Juve won the Scudetto and finished 2nd in Europe. His free kicks were deadly and he was maturing as a player as he was passing more. 1998 was to be his World Cup. Baggio was second fiddle. Cesare Maldini made it clear that Alex was to lead the team. It was a horrible mistake as he was lost and confused and he made no impact whatsoever. Del Piero failed as the critics would say, but did he? Did not the coach fail him? The Azzurri bowed out of France 98 in a shootout and the team that was supposed to go one up went two down. The Italian Federation was disappointed and called for an inquiry. Zoff was named head coach. Del Piero also injured his knee and was out for most of the season.
Then came Euro 2000. Many saw Italy as a has-been team with no talent and the good old days were gone. As dumbfounded as it was this was the belief. When Italy qualified for the Semifinals they had to search for hotels. Well Totti had a good Euro and Zoff laid the foundations for a new team that was united, disciplined with the chance to do better in 2002. Del Piero missed two golden opportunities to finish the game and France won with a golden goal. However, the luck has run out as of late as France have not even half of the talent of Italy and they are seen as one hit wonders. If they played France in a friendly or when they meet in Euro qualifying the Azzurri have the upper hand. If they can beat Holland why not France? Del Piero was seen as the scapegoat and critics stated he was never the same player since he injured his knee. He was down and out as seen on the pitch that day, but his friends knew better.
Well, 2002 came and Trappatoni put his faith in Totti. Italy again was looking for a new hero and many thought he would get the job done. But Italy struggled and it was a last minute header from Alex that got the Azzurri to the second round. He played well, but the Trap did not allow him to have a good World Cup. At Euro 2004 he was recovering from a previous injury and he too failed here, but the team failed as a whole as the coaching tactics were below par. 1-0 was not enough to win games. The sacrificial lamb was fed to the lions again. He was gaining experience but he was not allowed to showcase his talents.
Then 2005 saw Capello come to Turin. He immediately set his plan into motion and Del Piero was a sub. However, as a sub he was playing well and he was avoiding injury. Fabio wanted a player and the wake up call served him well as he had become somewhat complacent. Lippi too agreed with Capello and told DP that he needed to earn his keep. Well he has done so this year.
Now should he go to Germany or stay home? Well he has had a great season and like Totti is performing well. Juve are leading in Italy and are in contention for the CL. He already broke a record and there is still time to score more. If Juve win the CL and Scudetto then he should be part of the team. Cassano is young and inexperience can cost them big. There is space for Cassano, Totti and Del Piero. The sacrificial lamb could be the wolf in sheep’s disguise in Germany. Italy has the team to do it and he can take them to the next level and get his ultimate vindication.
In short auguri to Alex in rewriting history and let’s see if he can continue to do so. He is playing well and Capello’s shock therapy did him good. Well best of fortune in the coming months and let’s see what Lippi thinks. He is well mannered (has he ever spat on a player?) and disciplined unlike some of his critics who like to put powder up their noses. Now to pose a question to the fans and foes alike? Do you know who I am alluding to?
Bruno Cardile
-------------------------------------------------------------
InLife InDeath Forever Il Capitano.
