Week 19 Spotlight: World Cup Alex Monday 16 January, 2006
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Player of the Week: Del Piero (Juventus)
Alessandro Del Piero capped a momentous week for himself by scoring the only goal in his side’s hard-fought 1-0 win over Reggina at the weekend – a victory which helped extend Juventus’ lead in the title race to 10 points.
Pinturicchio became Juventus’ all-time record scorer with 185 goals in the week when he netted a hat-trick against Fiorentina in the Italian Cup and he repaid Fabio Capello’s continued faith in him by scoring again on Sunday afternoon.
Del Piero has been a Juve and Italy icon ever since first busting on to the Serie A scene with the Turin side in 1993 and, during his lengthy service for the Bianconeri, has collected six Italian titles, four Italian Super Cups, an Italian Cup and a Champions League.
Under Coach Capello’s tenure, however, the skilful No 10 has not enjoyed regular games for La Vecchia Signora, but despite his relative reverse in fortunes has always maintained a dignified silence and shown a determination and great willingness to pull for the team.
This season, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Trezeguet and Adrian Mutu all fighting for a first-team place, Del Piero has again been used sparingly, often coming on from the bench to offer his inimitable contribution.
However, when called upon he has proved his timeless class, scoring 12 goals in 22 matches in all competitions so far this term and, as yesterday, leading by example when the side has been struggling to move through the gears.
"He’s a very intelligent and sensitive guy," said Capello yesterday. "He works conscientiously and with meticulous detail every day. He knew he had to do certain things and be ready when the time came for him to be called upon – and now he is doing extraordinary things, scoring great goals and working very hard."
The Juve tactician also said recently that he sometimes finds it ‘embarrassing’ to drop Super Alex to the bench, but perhaps his determination to do so is the reason why we are seeing the best of him again – and this could be of huge benefit to Italy this summer.
"Del Piero is coming into form in time for the Word Cup Finals," added Don Fabio poignantly.
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Goal of the Week: Del Piero (Juventus)
Pinturicchio showed why he became Juve’s top goalscorer of all time in the week with the sort of flash of brilliance that separates him from his peers and the League leaders from the chasing pack, in what is becoming an increasingly one-sided title race. Lowly Reggina thought they were going into the break on level terms before Del Piero broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time. Racing on to a flick from David Trezeguet, the Bianconeri captain rifled an unstoppable half-volley into the roof of Nicola Pavarini’s net with his left foot.
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Number of the Week: 186
Alex Del Piero takes pride of place, sweeping all before him with a record 186 goals for Juventus and leading the Bianconeri’s relentless quest for total domination in all competitions.
source: channel4.com
Whole column for Del Piero
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