Alex in demand

May 5, 2000
Juventus Official Site

Alessandro Del Piero was all smiles at the Comunale on Thursday, as he prepared to talk to the gathering TV crews and reporters about Sunday's big match against Parma at the Delle Alpi: "I am very excited. This game is like a cup final and if you look at our success rate in crucial matches over the last few years, it's clear we've done pretty well. Sure, we came out second best in two Champions League finals but virtually every year we have attained at least one of our main objectives. This in itself is some achievement given the level of competition. To win everything is nigh on impossible these days."

On Sunday, Del Piero will have an added incentive for victory. The sheer delight etched on Malesani's face after Hernan Crespo's late strike secured a 1-1 draw for Parma at the Tardini back in January remains vivid in the memory of the Juventus number 10. The disappointment on that occasion was augmented by the fact that the Bianconeri had just turned in their finest performance of the season. So it is no surprise that this time round each and every Juve player will go out there in cup final mode - albeit with one ear open for news of the Bologna-Lazio clash.

"A draw would be fine - but only if the Dall'Ara clash should end in a draw," points out Del Piero, who insists that a two-point advantage is not to be undervalued. "If they had told me in September that the League standings would be as they are, I would have gone along with it. Don't forget that we set off with a Champions League berth as our main goal. The fact that we've gone from a nine-point lead to five and then two points is academic now: we are mentally ready and totally up for Sunday. A defeat would be sorely felt."
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