Zoff facing Del Piero poser

June 21, 2000
Onefootball.com

Dino Zoff is facing mounting pressure to play Alessandro del Piero after his marvellous goal clinched the Azzurri's third straight victory in Euro 2000.

Zoff has admitted he will lose sleep over whether or not to play the Juventus star in Italy's quarter-final against the Group A runners-up in Brussels on Saturday.

In fact the coach has had the Del Piero dilemma ever since he named his Euro 2000 squad, but now public opinion is intensifying behind the 25-year-old.

Del Piero and his fellow players took a day off from training to spend time with their wives and girlfriends, but there was no rest for the manager.

Zoff was full of compliments for Del Piero's performance against Sweden, even praising his muted celebration after the goal.

"It is a positive sign when someone celebrates a goal with moderation," said Zoff. "I'm not one for exaggerated exhibitions."

But Zoff also chided the striker for urging his team-mates to move forward and deliver better passes in his direction. "That's not one of his strengths," he said.

Despite the spotlight blazing on Del Piero, Francesco Totti's considerable contribution to Italy's Euro 2000 campaign has not been forgotten.

"Totti started this championship well and now is even better. Del Piero started okay and now is playing well," said Zoff.
.