Lippi "Del Piero? A champion!"

September 26, 2000
Soccerage

Inter's coach, Marcello Lippi, manager of Juventus for five seasons, waiting the Serie A debut on Sunday against Reggina, decides to take part to the matter about Alessandro Del Piero and the difficult moment of the player. And he confirms he hasn't any doubt about the world class of Juventus star.

"Del Piero? He is a real champion! But not just like player. He is also a champion as person!" Lippi said.

"Last three seasons were very difficult for Alex: first he has been charged to use doping, false charges obviously but which leave a track in a player; then he get injured, a serious problem with the knee, which kept him far from the pitch for long time. Well in my opinion at least one year is needed to recover fully from a such injury"

"So I'm sure when I say Del Piero isn't a problem at all for Juventus, and he will play a great season coming back on his top standards"

About Inter and its future, Lippi explained "From the match at Lecce we take an important signal: this team even when it misses some key-players, could be competitive. We must continue on this way"
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