Alex stays cool

January 27, 2000
Juventus Official Site

After the Coppa Italia defeat in Rome, Alessandro Del Piero faced the press to talk about getting back on the scoresheet. But anyone turning up expecting to find the Juve star still smarting from recent criticism would have been surprised at how relaxed he was.

He talked about his joy at an equaliser that looked like taking the Bianconeri through to the semi-finals. The overall feeling was that this goal meant more than normal, although he would not admit it. The answer will no doubt come on the pitch.

Although Alessandro Del Piero finally got back on the scoresheet with the equaliser in Wednesday evening's Coppa Italia encounter, the Juve star was the picture of calmness when he met the press. "At the end of the day we didn't make it to the semi-finals", said Alex. Maybe he was thinking of Carlo Ancelotti's words, when the coach said: "Maybe it's better if he continues to make his contribution without scoring, as he has done up until now." However, Ancelotti did go on to admit: "It is important for him and us that he gets among the goals."

Of course, the issue of Del Piero's form was up most in everyone's mind and the Lazio game did provide glimpses of his instinctive style of play. However, Alex was not going to get carried away, stating that this goal was not going to change his life. But he did admit that he was fed-up with the criticism, as anyone would be.

Giovanni Agnelli has stated that a player reaches his peak at the age of 27, so will we have to wait for the best of Del Piero? "Mr. Agnelli always talks sense," said Alex, "and what he says is significant as I want to continue to play here. Experience makes you a better player."

On the whole, Alex would rather talk about the team's performance, stating: "Our mistakes now will help us with the upcoming UEFA Cup games. We had a chance to go through, but didn't take it. We mustn't let that happen in future games. These two ties have given a good indication of the strengths of both teams and I would say that Lazio do not look in bad shape."
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