Monday: Italy-Sweden

June 18, 2000
Juventus Official Site

The time may finally have come to see Del Piero from the off. Certainly that Italy have qualified top of their group with a game in hand makes the likelihood of squad rotation increasingly likely for the Azzurri’s final group match against Sweden. There is as yet no confirmation from the Italy camp, but after showing the form of old in the 20 minutes against Turkey and the 30 against Belgium, chances are that the number 10 will find himself in the starting line-up.

Alex has himself played down speculation about a start, and he has done his utmost to put the team above any personal ambition in his own statements. Speaking of relations with the Roma number 10, Francesco Totti, who has started in his stead, Del Piero denied there was any rivalry between them. “I would like to start, obviously, but my only objective is to score and give Sweden a problem, not Zoff. The only thing that matters is that Italy should win.”

But Del Piero is unlikely to be the only player change against Sweden. Both Antonio Conte and Gianluca Zambrotta may well be rested given that both have a yellow card to their name and there is little reason to risk there suspension for the quarters, which could be against England.

There could also be space for another Bianconeri, Ciro Ferrara. He is certainly likely to at least play a part in the match, while Mark Iuliano will be hoping to keep his spot after an impressive performance against Belgium. “I’m one of those who began the season 1 July because of the Intertoto. After a full year of hard work it would be great to make it through to the Final on 2 July,” said the tireless Juve defender.

After the lukewarm welcome the Azzurri received earlier in the tournament, the mood has been turned on its head with the team feted by fans on their arrival in Eindhoven and at least 8,000 fans expected at the Philipe Stadion Monday evening.

As for the other Bianconeri involved in the Championship, Sunday evening Darko Kovacevic will be aiming to trouble the Norwegian back-line, while Zinedine Zidane will meet Edgar Davids in Holland-France on 21 June.
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