Bettega praises Del Piero for "perfect cocktail"

February 20, 2001
Daily Soccer

TURIN - Juventus vice-president Roberto Bettega has praised beleaguered striker Alessandro Del Piero for a stunning solo goal wich gave the club a 1-0 Italian league win at Bari on Sunday.

Del Piero's performances have been heavily criticised this season, with several commentators suggesting the player might have lost the ability which made him Italy's most popular player.

His goal as a substitute on Sunday came just days after the death of his father and drew praise from many quarters, including former Juventus and Italy striker Bettega. "It was the kind of goal I have always dreamed of scoring. A perfect cocktail of flair, skill, strength and calm," Bettega said.

"In such a tragic week for Alex, his performance tells more about the man than it does about the player. This I think was appreciated by everybody, not just by the Juventus fans."

Bettega also offered a reminder of Del Piero's role in Juve's successes in the 1990s after he was signed as a teenager from Padova.

"Alex is in his eighth season with Juventus and has been fundamental in writing important pages of the club's history. As well as this he symbolises every child's dream -- a home-grown player who goes on to become a champion. It was the same as happened to me." Bettega said.

"I think it's safe to say that Del Piero is a product of Juventus. I don't want to take credit away from Padova but we included him in our youth team from a very tender age and he has remained with us ever since, becoming world star."

Marcello Lippi, Del Piero's former coach at Juventus, said he was not at all surprised by the player's reaction to his difficulties.

"Those who know Del Piero well, like me, as either coach or team mate did not need such a goal to confirm to us that he has rediscovered his full ability," Lippi said. "He needed time to rediscover his old level and what he did on Sunday has served as a reminder to those who do not know him well."

There is already plenty of pressure on current Juventus boss Carlo Ancelotti to include Del Piero from the start against AC Milan on Sunday night.

But, true to form, Ancelotti says he will not be pressurised or rushed into a decision, especially with French striker David Trezeguet also close to a return to fitness.

"It depends how he trains during this week," Ancelotti said. "With us out of the Champions League my policy has been to choose the strikers who are in best condition and form at a given moment.

"But to score a goal like that one on Sunday it is not enough to be someone with skill, you need to be in good physical condition as well. "However there are also others and maybe we will have Trezeguet back. I will think a little and I ask for patience to make my choice."

Juventus are second in Serie A, six points behind leaders AS Roma.
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