Del Piero likes Azzurri pressure

March 28, 2000
Optasoccer

JUVENTUS star Alessandro Del Piero has told Italian fans that the 'Azzurri' will not let the fans down in their clash with Spain - and hopes that they can eradicate bad memories of the past few international clashes. Del Piero, speaking in the Gazzetta dello Sport admitted that the team raise their game against bigger names saying: "When we face great teams, teams that want to win as much as we do, the match is far more spectacular.

"Both teams take more risks and this leaves more space to play. It's the same in the championship as well. Top clubs have more difficulty against little clubs because the minor teams use defensive tactics, and it's difficult to develop a spectacular play.

"Even the players are more relaxed when they play against great teams. For example when Italy faced Sweden we are expected to win - there is no room for any other result and that puts a lot of pressure on everybody.

Playing Spain we can play in a different way, because there is always a chance that you can lose. I'm not sure if I have explained this very well! What I mean to say is, I am very optimistic about the spectacular level of the match this time."

Speaking about the forthcoming European Championships, Del Piero is keen to be one of the Italian stars saying: "Euro 2000 will be my third major competition with the national team. I remember the previous ones, and they weren't positive at all for me.

"So it could be good to arrive there without the usual 'super-scorer' expectations. Maybe it will be the time that I really prove my worth with my performances!

"But the whole team has to play well. No-one remembers second or third place so it is vital that we win."
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