DEL PIERO: "MEMORIES
OF THE FINAL OF BERLIN
WILL GIVE ITALY THE
RIGHT MOTIVATION"
The Saturday match in Milan is coming closer and the Azzurri have high expectations. Alessandro Del Piero is charged up and motivated: "The match against France - said the Juventus player - is surrounded by lots of controversy but it will be a real match under every aspect. The stakes are high, we will have to give 110% keeping in mind that we will be playing at home and in a fantastic stadium like San Siro".
Italy and France, back again. The 2006 Berlin finalists that seem to know each other perfectly, both on and off the field. "It's true, we know each other very well - admits Del Piero - even if I think this matters up until a certain point. After a year, there have been some changes, but we still remember that fantastic World Cup and this will give us the right motivation". ,
From the Juventus club to the National team. Alessandro Del Piero does feel he is a part-time champion. And he wants a spot on the team that will take the field Saturday evening. "I am always here to play, not just to be a number. I do not feel like just one of the team", underlined Del Piero, respecting the situations and decisions made by Donadoni.
The controversy surrounding the match is similar to what happened in Berlin: "This atmosphere reminds me of how things were before the semifinal against Germany and then we won, clear and perfectly. Let's hope that France is setting up an own-goal".
In Berlin, Alberto Aquilani was not present and watched the match from home. "I remember the satisfaction - said the Roma player - that the team gave to all Italians. I can only imagine what my teammates felt that night. It is easy to find the right motivation for Saturday evening because we know what our opponent is worth and we know that the match is fundamental for the qualifications. Whatever happens off the field should not interest us too much, we have to think about the French team, not about their words".
TONI KEEPS HOPES UP
Luca Toni is hoping to be on the field on Saturday evening in Milan against France. "I will do all I can to be there - said the center-forward of the National team from the training camp in Coverciano. I still have a slight muscle problem, but only a little: I will do all I can to recover these days and be on the field. Donadoni decides."
This afternoon the Azzurri will have a closed-door training session, while tomorrow they have two workouts. Three days are left before the match against France and any decision regarding Toni.