There is no conflict between
Baggio and me, Del Piero says
April 23, 2002
Daily Soccer
TURIN - Juventus FC that
are struggling for winning the Italian champion's title and Brescia that
are fighting for survival will clash on Sunday. This game is considered
to be a controversy between Alessandro Del Piero and 35-year-old Roberto
Baggio. There is an opinion that Italian national team fans would like
to see one of these players on the place of another in the 2002 World Cup.
What does Juventus captain
Alessandro Del Piero think of it?
"This controversy devised
by the media is nonsense. Baggio and I have often respected each other,
and there is no competition between us. We have played the same role in
the Italian national team for a couple of years. But who said that if one
of us will go to the World Cup it means that the other will not take part
in that tournament? I think I deserve going to Japan and South Korea. Trapattoni
has never cast doubt on involving me in the squad," Del Piero announced.
With this statement the captain
refutes all talks on his possible absence in the World Cup, repeating Trapattoni's
words, who has announced that Del Piero will undoubtedly take part in the
World Cup. He also nips in the bud all hints as if Baggio participates
in the World Cup miraculously then the coexistence of "Codino", Del Piero
and Francesco Totti will be problematical.
"I will play in the 2002
World Cup, and I am not interested in those controversies. Everything has
always been clear between Baggio and me. To be honest, I was surprised
how he recovered from the injury fast, returned to the field and even scored
goals. And on Sunday nothing similar to a controversy between Del Piero
and Baggio will occur, but a game between Juventus and Brescia will be
held."
The run for "scudetto" approaches
to its end, and Del Piero summarizes his side's performance this season.
He said: "A month before
when we were six points behind the leaders, we started to think of the
future skeptically. Now everything has changed even if Inter have surpassed
us with one point. Our fate changed, and we also made efforts." Del Piero
also mentioned that he will be disappointed if his side fail to win the
"scudetto."
.