"I'm ready"
Alex Del Piero in the search of a real European Championship
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May 30, 2000
Raisport (translated by Alice)

Coverciano (Florence) - Suspended between a vague scudetto and an Euro 2000 that could see him on the bench, Alex Del Piero almost seems to investigate the Coverciano sky to find the right inspiration. But the expectations are not inviting, that's why the juventino is a little gloomy: "I'm not satisfied - he explains -, I need an European as a protagonist. We hope the best can happen because I'm looking for a personal retaliation".

The juventino is going through a particular moment, but at least the physical conditions are satisfying: "I'm training well, but we'll need to see the answer in the pitch. I've been through a bit difficult season because everybody was behind me counting the minutes of that goal that didn't come. But I can say that, on the period that followed the injury, I felt reliefed. After five years played without ever stopping, I've had the possibility to think, to unplug, to follow the matches with serenity".

"So many the episodes that Del Piero wants to point out. Starting from the non-celebration for the penalty kick Baggio scored against Chile at the World Cup: "Those have been low things from the journalists, there have never been any resentment between me and Baggio. Was I against him in 1998? Now I'm not anybody's alternative".

At Reggio the juventini that played for Italy did so well, causing the Bettega's complains: "Bettega's - says Del Piero - was an unlucky expression, the crowd was enthusiastic and we felt the people's warmth and played a nice match after so many bad ones".

The rancour for Inzaghi's missing passes belongs to the past: "A moment of rage in a precise situation, but in any match there's a mix of risk and luck".

The Euro 2000 is geting closer and Zoff keeps trying Inzaghi-Montella. Would it be the sign of the subs' bench for Del Piero? "It's true that in one line-up the coach has been using Inzaghi and Montella, but it's also true that in the other, there are Delvecchio, Totti and myself. It seems to me that nothing is certain, Zoff knows how Inzaghi and I play together, that's why he should consider other solutions. We are five attackers with different characteristics and we all have chances. But we don't know yet how will we play. Honestly, I don't feel like a starter or like a substitute. Physically I feel like two years ago, but I must find continuity: there are the instinct and the speed of the game, but then there are other parts".

Del Piero doesn't feel like a striker: "I've already played behind the attackers at Juve, and I'm ready to do it for Italy, too. But Zoff knows I feel like a second attacker".

The year of the poison is past, but there are rests: "It's hard to forget the bitterness for the lost scudetto, but I am calm, there's no anger. Sometimes I've noticed precaution in my performances, and I feel bad for I try to have a nice relationship with everybody and to respect everybody".

Does an Italy without Totti and Del Piero as starters lack fantasy? "The fantasy is inside any player, but I think nobody has an assured place yet. Rui Barros and Schillaci? Yes, there was also Casiraghi in that Juve and Zoff remembers well".

The only thing he doesn't feel like doing is to wish luck to Zeman, who could get back coaching in Italy at Napoli: "I've never denied I said some things about Zeman, but it's not up to me to judge his possible choices. I'm not interested in what he does".
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