Il Capitano Alessandro Del Piero (98 Viewers)
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Del Piero: I Am No Super-Sub
Juventus symbol Alessandro Del Piero has declared that he does not see himself as some form of super-sub and wants to play games from the start.
The Golden Boy was left on the bench during Sunday evening’s clash with Palermo, but he entered the fray on 68 minutes and produced a magical cameo performance, scoring twice and creating another.
This has led to many journalists claiming that at the age of 33, Del Piero may be more decisive as a second-half super-sub, rather than as a starter.
Del Piero has been compared to Serie A legend Jose Altafini, who joined Juventus in 1972 at the age of 34.
The Brazilian stayed at the club for four seasons, and his role as a super-sub was crucial as Juve won the Scudetti in 1973 and 1975, and also reached a European Cup final.
“I am dividing opinion after my two goals as a substitute on Sunday,” said Del Piero.
“However I hope that my double will serve to show that I deserve to start from the beginning of the match. It is not easy for anyone to come on during a game, therefore I am very satisfied for the attitude that I have shown.
“I am ready for Milan and I do not see myself as the new Altafini.”
Del Piero also looked forward to renewing his rivalry with a Brazilian star of today, Ronaldo. During the 1997/98 season a common debate in the Italian press was of who the best player in the world was – Del Piero or Ronaldo.
“I am happy to be able to meet and embrace Ronaldo again and I am happy that he is well,” Del Piero concluded.
Goal.com
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Del Piero Is Officially A Reserve - Report
The Gazzetta dello Sport is today suggesting that Alessandro Del Piero is now officially a second-choice player at Juventus.
The Golden Boy has started the last two matches against Palermo and Milan on the substitutes bench, as Coach Claudio Ranieri preferred the combination of Vincenzo Iaquinta and David Trezeguet.
Del Piero came on against Palermo in the 68th minute and produced a magical cameo performance, scoring a penalty, a brilliant free-kick, and creating a goal for Marcho Marchionni.
Despite this display, Del Piero was only offered 19 minutes of action in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Milan at San Siro, a decision for which Ranieri received criticism for.
Nevertheless it now appears that the Tinkerman has decided that Iaquinta and Trezeguet are his first-choice strikeforce, with Del Piero having to mostly make do with a role from the substitutes bench.
This is not a totally new scenario for the Bianconeri all-time record goalscorer, who rarely completed 90 minutes during Fabio Capello’s two-year stint at the club between 2004 and 2006.
The Don, who had a fractious relationship with Del Boy, often preferred to play Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic up-front.
Carlo Garganese
Goal.com
