Il Capitano Alessandro Del Piero (129 Viewers)
- Thread starter Chxta
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The 4 assists dont make up for the amount of missplaced passes and the amount of chances wasted of either scoring or making more assists. If he wasnt rubish then there should of been more. Zambrotta's goal was all down to Zambrotta and maybe the keeper not because Totti has done anything special or layed it on a plate for him or anything, that assist is only a stat. Same for Pirlo's goal. Just because Totti has had the last touch before these goals it doesnt mean he has been playing any better than i assumed.
World-France are final favourites, says Del Piero
By Simon Evans
DUISBURG, Germany, July 6 (Reuters) - France start as favourites to win the World Cup final because they are less stressed than Italy, Azzurri forward Alessandro Del Piero said on Thursday.
"I think France are slight favourites because they are certainly going into this game with less stress than us," said the striker, who scored Italy's second goal in their 2-0 extra-time win over Germany on Tuesday after coming on as a substitute.
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While Italy had to battle out over 120 minutes against a determined host nation in Dortmund, France had a more straightforward 1-0 victory in normal time against Portugal. Del Piero said there were also other factors behind Italy's stress -- including the Serie A match-fixing scandal.
"In France there isn't the same chaos that we have in Italy that involves our club sides and there isn't the same coverage from the press and television that we have," said Del Piero, who has had a difficult relationship with the Italian media.
The Juventus forward said that he was pleased to be meeting the French and his old team mate Zinedine Zidane in the Berlin final.
"It is really going to be a fascinating match, it couldn't be better than France v Italy, given that both sides have some incredible players, above all 'Zizou'. At this moment I think there aren't two teams better suited for a final than these two," he said.
Del Piero played with Zidane for Juventus from 1996 until the Frenchman's move to Real Madrid in 2001 and said he was full of admiration for the midfielder who is due to retire after the final.
"I had a very close friendship with him and he has been in magnificent form here although I hope just up until yesterday.
"As a footballer, I don't know what you can add to what everyone says about him -- he is the absolute number one," said Del Piero, who added it was vital Italy kept their eyes on Zidane's team mates.
"They have other players who can hurt you at any moment, we know them well. We will need to be attentive right across the field," he said.
Unless Italy coach Marcello Lippi pulls another selection surprise, Del Piero will start on the bench against France although he hopes to have more opportunity than he received with his extra-time substitute appearance against Germany.
"My only thought is to make the most of whatever chance I am given. It is not easy to come on in the final minutes and score. It would be fantastic if I had more time available to me," he said.
Updated on Thursday, Jul 6, 2006 11
By Simon Evans
DUISBURG, Germany, July 6 (Reuters) - France start as favourites to win the World Cup final because they are less stressed than Italy, Azzurri forward Alessandro Del Piero said on Thursday.
"I think France are slight favourites because they are certainly going into this game with less stress than us," said the striker, who scored Italy's second goal in their 2-0 extra-time win over Germany on Tuesday after coming on as a substitute.
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While Italy had to battle out over 120 minutes against a determined host nation in Dortmund, France had a more straightforward 1-0 victory in normal time against Portugal. Del Piero said there were also other factors behind Italy's stress -- including the Serie A match-fixing scandal.
"In France there isn't the same chaos that we have in Italy that involves our club sides and there isn't the same coverage from the press and television that we have," said Del Piero, who has had a difficult relationship with the Italian media.
The Juventus forward said that he was pleased to be meeting the French and his old team mate Zinedine Zidane in the Berlin final.
"It is really going to be a fascinating match, it couldn't be better than France v Italy, given that both sides have some incredible players, above all 'Zizou'. At this moment I think there aren't two teams better suited for a final than these two," he said.
Del Piero played with Zidane for Juventus from 1996 until the Frenchman's move to Real Madrid in 2001 and said he was full of admiration for the midfielder who is due to retire after the final.
"I had a very close friendship with him and he has been in magnificent form here although I hope just up until yesterday.
"As a footballer, I don't know what you can add to what everyone says about him -- he is the absolute number one," said Del Piero, who added it was vital Italy kept their eyes on Zidane's team mates.
"They have other players who can hurt you at any moment, we know them well. We will need to be attentive right across the field," he said.
Unless Italy coach Marcello Lippi pulls another selection surprise, Del Piero will start on the bench against France although he hopes to have more opportunity than he received with his extra-time substitute appearance against Germany.
"My only thought is to make the most of whatever chance I am given. It is not easy to come on in the final minutes and score. It would be fantastic if I had more time available to me," he said.
Updated on Thursday, Jul 6, 2006 11
Speaking about corner kicks, Del Piero's against Germany were the only ones that weren't easily handled by Lehmann, with one of them eventually leading to a goal. I'm not saying Del Piero gave an assist or anything (I'll be the last to claim a well taken corner as a direct assist), but it was quite remarkable.
not that I care about him, I would only support him If he stayed at the club . still he is one of the best coaches around, his luck didn't work here, this happens to every coach, but am sure he will win more titles the clubs he will go to.
silly or not, that's working..
Thinking about this from the team's fan point of view is different than from a player's fan point of view. you will always want him to start even if he plays bad. Lippi knows what he is doing, no need to argue about it..
silly or not, that's working..
Thinking about this from the team's fan point of view is different than from a player's fan point of view. you will always want him to start even if he plays bad. Lippi knows what he is doing, no need to argue about it..
I disagree. Del Piero's athletic performances have dropped to an absolute minimum if you ask me. His wonderful technique, vista and skill tend to make up for that if the game has lost some of it's pace though. Starting with Del Piero in a WC final against a fresh France side does not seem wise to me. He will however have a vital impact if you put him on for the last 20 minutes of the game. He was very good when he came on against Germany IMO.
DEL'S FINAL CHANCE TO GET OVER EURO HELL
ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO wants to win the World Cup Final to exorcise the ghosts of Euro 2000.
The Juventus captain has been an Italian icon for more than a decade but his misses against France in the final of the 2000 European Championship tarnished his reputation.
Del Piero failed to hit the target late in the game against Les Bleus and France claimed a narrow triumph.
He said: "No one suffered more than I did in that game. I was criticised a lot, even described as being half a player.
"I don't feel guilty and for a simple reason, whenever I play I give everything, my head, my legs and my heart on the pitch.
"That defeat is already in the past. Sunday's game is a new story and a new battle."
If Italy's 2-0 triumph over Germany in the semi-final was an epic one, Sunday's encounter against France, according to Del Piero, will not be for the faint-hearted.
He said: "There could have been other teams to have reached this final.
"I believe that this is the best possible final, between two great teams that have incredible champions. There couldn't have been any other team more adapted to this final than France and it's going to be a fantastic final."
France have a veteran side full of quality and it includes two of Del Piero's current team-mates at Juve in Patrick Vieira and Lilian Thuram.
The Serie A side are on trial in a sports court in Rome and face possible relegation if found guilty of match fixing or other serious infractions.
Del Piero said: "The fact that there could be at least eight Juve players in this final highlights the quality of our club team.
"It's inevitable not to think a little bit about what is happening back home but my priority is Sunday's final.
"I think Juve will be well represented on Sunday and I hope that the Italians and the Juve fans will be able to smile."
Del Piero has only started one game in Germany but has proved sturdy coming off the bench.
He scored Italy's second against the hosts and said: "I feel in very good form.
"That goal has given me a boost in confidence and whether I start or not my aim is to make the most of the minutes I will play."
Daily Record
ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO wants to win the World Cup Final to exorcise the ghosts of Euro 2000.
The Juventus captain has been an Italian icon for more than a decade but his misses against France in the final of the 2000 European Championship tarnished his reputation.
Del Piero failed to hit the target late in the game against Les Bleus and France claimed a narrow triumph.
He said: "No one suffered more than I did in that game. I was criticised a lot, even described as being half a player.
"I don't feel guilty and for a simple reason, whenever I play I give everything, my head, my legs and my heart on the pitch.
"That defeat is already in the past. Sunday's game is a new story and a new battle."
If Italy's 2-0 triumph over Germany in the semi-final was an epic one, Sunday's encounter against France, according to Del Piero, will not be for the faint-hearted.
He said: "There could have been other teams to have reached this final.
"I believe that this is the best possible final, between two great teams that have incredible champions. There couldn't have been any other team more adapted to this final than France and it's going to be a fantastic final."
France have a veteran side full of quality and it includes two of Del Piero's current team-mates at Juve in Patrick Vieira and Lilian Thuram.
The Serie A side are on trial in a sports court in Rome and face possible relegation if found guilty of match fixing or other serious infractions.
Del Piero said: "The fact that there could be at least eight Juve players in this final highlights the quality of our club team.
"It's inevitable not to think a little bit about what is happening back home but my priority is Sunday's final.
"I think Juve will be well represented on Sunday and I hope that the Italians and the Juve fans will be able to smile."
Del Piero has only started one game in Germany but has proved sturdy coming off the bench.
He scored Italy's second against the hosts and said: "I feel in very good form.
"That goal has given me a boost in confidence and whether I start or not my aim is to make the most of the minutes I will play."
Daily Record