Alex returns to Udine

February 4, 2000
Juventus Official Site

Alessandro Del Piero is preparing for some mixed emotions on Saturday evening in Udine. Del Piero is expected to take the field at Udinese's Friuli ground for the first time since sustaining a serious knee injury there on 8 November 1998. The injury was bad enough to leave Juventus without their sharpest attacking implement for nine months.

But if the legacy of that particular day is still to be fully erased, the appearance of Del Piero will also recall some happier times. In December 1996, the Juventus forward scored twice for the visitors in a 4-1 success, while in the corresponding fixture in 1997/98, he grabbed an 89th-minute equaliser to force a 1-1 draw.

And perhaps his finest moment in Udine came in the bitter aftermath of France 98. Playing against Switzerland in a European Championship qualifier, Del Piero silenced the critics with both goals in a 2-0 win for the Azzurri.
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