Alex gunning for derby first

March 16, 2000
Juventus Official Site

Alessandro Del Piero, Juve's goal provider, is preparing for Sunday's derby amid continuing concern about his inability to score from open play. The pressure is even higher going into this match, since Alex must also contend with the fact (and added incentive) that he has never scored in the derby. But none of that really matters. With his match-by-match improvement, he remains one of the Juventus' most pivotal players, not only on the pitch, but off it as well. He fields questions as well as he does cross-field balls, even when it comes to the numerous anti-Juve controversies reported in the press so frequently.

"There are always arguments, and they are frequently aimed at Juve," the man himself observes. "But we're strong enough to ignore these attacks from outside and to continue on our path." He also comments, with characteristic diplomacy, on the proposal by the referees' association to postpone kick-off times by half an hour. "Having been on the receiving end of so many attacks and criticisms they're understandably annoyed - it's only human."

But Del Piero himself would not be human if his full attention were not devoted to Sunday's derby, which has just been brought forward to 3.30pm local time Sunday. "The elements that make up a derby match are numerous, and frequently extend beyond the real qualities of the two sides," Del Piero acknowledges. "It's like a final, impossible to forecast." He bridles at the suggestion that in the first half of the season Torino had dictated the game. "This match is always full of tension, and undoubtedly we could have done better. But it's always easier with the benefit of hindsight. The derby means a lot to me because I´ve been here so long that I understand the importance the fans ascribe to the game - it goes even beyond the League standings.

"We are in an enviable position, but we need to show our strength now. That is to say, we shouldn't let our current advantage dictate our approach to matches," Del Piero continues. "We must play all our remaining games with the same objective in mind: victory."

But, were the Bianconeri to win the Scudetto this year, how would Del Piero feel about it? A seasoned Scudetto winner, the Juve forward replies with the kind of incisiveness we have come to expect from him. "Each Scudetto has a particular flavour. This would probably be the one most contrary to everybody's prediction."
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