Tuesday 1 October 2002
Juventus FC striker Alessandro Del Piero admitted that he has had a 'magic' start to the season after scoring twice in the 2-0 win against Newcastle United FC on Tuesday night.
'A magic moment'
The Italian international struck in the 66th and 81st minutes to hand Juventus their second win of UEFA Champions League Group E. "It is a magic moment, I have never started a season like this before," said Del Piero. "But I am obviously even happier for the team because we have started the season so well."
Trademark free-kick
Del Piero had hit the bar in the first half before opening the scoring after the break with a trademark free-kick, won when Nikos Dabizas held him back on the edge of the area. The second goal arrived with nine minutes remaining, Edgar Davids galloping down the left to supply a cross which David Trezeguet left for Del Piero to shoot past Shay Given.
'A bit lucky'
"It is always good to score and I am pleased with the first goal but I was actually a bit lucky for the second as it took a deflection," Del Piero added.
'Two special goals'
And Juventus coach Marcello Lippi praised his star striker, who is into double figures for goals this season, saying: "Newcastle played very well tonight and we needed those two special goals from Del Piero to beat them - and he provided them."
'Special player'
Lippi added: "It is very difficult to say whether he is in his best form ever. But what I can say is that he has finally fully recovered from the bad injury he suffered. He is a special player and they take a bit longer to get back to their peak."
DI Vaio recovers
The home side had lost Marco Di Vaio in the 17th minute after he fell unconscious following a clash of heads with Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien. The striker was taken to hospital but Lippi said after the game that Di Vaio had regained consciousness.
Difficult opponents
"I am obviously very relieved and pleased that he is OK," Lippi said. "It did not look good and we were worried but thankfully he will be fine. However, it meant that I had to play [David] Trezeguet for longer than I had intended to. We needed to play well because Newcastle were very difficult to play against."
Visitors go close
Newcastle played Alan Shearer as a lone striker with Kieron Dyer just behind him and their hard-working midfield managed to subdue the home team early on. They even went close to taking the lead at the end of the first half but Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon saved Laurent Robert's fierce effort.
Decisive moment
Indeed, Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson felt that his team could have got at least a point if the Frenchman had scored then. He said: "Buffon made the save of the game prior to half-time with Robert's volley and that would have been a tremendous boost for us."
'It wasn't to be'
However, Robson, whose side are still without a point and are five behind second-placed Feyenoord, admitted: "But it wasn't to be. Obviously I can't fault the players for their efforts. We have to be positive about it, we had chances and we could have got at least a point here. At least we showed them tonight that we will give them a really hard game when they come to us."
10 goals in 9 matches. What a player! That is the real Del Piero we want to see!
Juventus FC striker Alessandro Del Piero admitted that he has had a 'magic' start to the season after scoring twice in the 2-0 win against Newcastle United FC on Tuesday night.
'A magic moment'
The Italian international struck in the 66th and 81st minutes to hand Juventus their second win of UEFA Champions League Group E. "It is a magic moment, I have never started a season like this before," said Del Piero. "But I am obviously even happier for the team because we have started the season so well."
Trademark free-kick
Del Piero had hit the bar in the first half before opening the scoring after the break with a trademark free-kick, won when Nikos Dabizas held him back on the edge of the area. The second goal arrived with nine minutes remaining, Edgar Davids galloping down the left to supply a cross which David Trezeguet left for Del Piero to shoot past Shay Given.
'A bit lucky'
"It is always good to score and I am pleased with the first goal but I was actually a bit lucky for the second as it took a deflection," Del Piero added.
'Two special goals'
And Juventus coach Marcello Lippi praised his star striker, who is into double figures for goals this season, saying: "Newcastle played very well tonight and we needed those two special goals from Del Piero to beat them - and he provided them."
'Special player'
Lippi added: "It is very difficult to say whether he is in his best form ever. But what I can say is that he has finally fully recovered from the bad injury he suffered. He is a special player and they take a bit longer to get back to their peak."
DI Vaio recovers
The home side had lost Marco Di Vaio in the 17th minute after he fell unconscious following a clash of heads with Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien. The striker was taken to hospital but Lippi said after the game that Di Vaio had regained consciousness.
Difficult opponents
"I am obviously very relieved and pleased that he is OK," Lippi said. "It did not look good and we were worried but thankfully he will be fine. However, it meant that I had to play [David] Trezeguet for longer than I had intended to. We needed to play well because Newcastle were very difficult to play against."
Visitors go close
Newcastle played Alan Shearer as a lone striker with Kieron Dyer just behind him and their hard-working midfield managed to subdue the home team early on. They even went close to taking the lead at the end of the first half but Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon saved Laurent Robert's fierce effort.
Decisive moment
Indeed, Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson felt that his team could have got at least a point if the Frenchman had scored then. He said: "Buffon made the save of the game prior to half-time with Robert's volley and that would have been a tremendous boost for us."
'It wasn't to be'
However, Robson, whose side are still without a point and are five behind second-placed Feyenoord, admitted: "But it wasn't to be. Obviously I can't fault the players for their efforts. We have to be positive about it, we had chances and we could have got at least a point here. At least we showed them tonight that we will give them a really hard game when they come to us."
10 goals in 9 matches. What a player! That is the real Del Piero we want to see!
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