Il Capitano Alessandro Del Piero (101 Viewers)

Jul 5, 2005
2,653
Evergreen Del Piero sends bosses a reminder


16 December 2007


ROME - Veteran forward Alessandro Del Piero sent out a reminder to Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri and Italy coach Roberto Donadoni with a match-winning performance in Rome against Lazio.

The 33-year-old scored two clinical second half goals in Juve’s 3-2 win at the Stadio Olympico to illustrate to club and country that he still has plenty to offer.

Del Piero has found himself frequently starting on the bench this season with summer signing Vincenzo Iaquinta often preferred in attack alongside hot-shot Frenchman David Trezeguet.

He has also been sidelined internationally with Iaquinta involved for the world champions.

But he proved his value twice against Lazio, springing the offside trap and taking one perfect touch before rifling home crisp finishes past exposed goalkeeper Marco Ballotta.

But having found himself substituted or a substitute in 10 of his 15 league appearances so far this season, Del Piero was more happy just to get through an entire 90 minutes.

“An evening like this means so much when you have to play 90 minutes and you manage to do it when asked. Afterwards I was doubly happy because we had not won away in ages and because I scored,” said an elated Del Piero.

Del Piero was only playing because Iaquinta was out injured but he proved that despite his ageing legs, he has lost none of his ability.

Ranieri paid tribute to his veteran forward and suggested he may be thinking of using him more often.

“Last time out he played really well. You can see he’s playing well and when he sets off, you can’t catch him,” Ranieri said, referring to Del Piero’s two goals.

“I want to repeat my thanks to Alex (Del Piero) and (Gianluigi) Buffon who won us three important points. Alex is in great form at the moment.”

Buffon was arguably even more crucial in securing the victory, making a string of fine stops to keep a rampant Lazio at bay, but one save midway through the second-half was particularly special.

He made a point-blank one-handed stop to deny Tomasso Rocchi what would then have been an equaliser for 2-2. Moments later Del Piero scampered away to snatch what turned out to be the winner.

That ensured Juve finished the day in second place, just five points behind leaders Inter Milan.

Even so, Del Piero is not getting carried away.

“We’re more interested in guarding against those behind us than trying to catch those in front,” he said.



(AFP)
 

Ahmed

Principino
Sep 3, 2006
47,928
this guy a left footer or what loves the lefty's. Loved the backheel control quality. loved how when keeper come out he went for height and when keeper stayed on his line he kept it low thats the difference in a smart striker and a dumb one.
perhaps the difference between Del Piero and Ibrahimovic? ;)
 

Seven

In bocca al lupo, Fabio.
Jun 25, 2003
39,341
I couldn't catch the game, so I don't know how Del Piero's game was overall. But about the two goals:

how fucking fast was Del Piero? He created space for himself, controlled the ball in great fashion and oh so easily scored. Zanetti's first assist was good, his second was a piece of pure brilliance. La Gazzetta is saying Pinturicchio is back, but I suggest we come up with an artist nickname for Zanetti as well.
 
May 22, 2007
37,256
I couldn't catch the game, so I don't know how Del Piero's game was overall. But about the two goals:

how fucking fast was Del Piero? He created space for himself, controlled the ball in great fashion and oh so easily scored. Zanetti's first assist was good, his second was a piece of pure brilliance. La Gazzetta is saying Pinturicchio is back, but I suggest we come up with an artist nickname for Zanetti as well.
Yeah, he looked youthful. In the 1994-5 season, we played Lazio and won 4-3. Del Piero happened to score 2 goals in that game as well, and we won the title soon after the game.
 

Azzurri7

Pinturicchio
Moderator
Dec 16, 2003
72,692
Gigi Buffon praised Alex Del Piero right after the game saying "It's just wonderful to have a player like Ale upfront, few players can always decide the game, and he's one of them"
 

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