Inzaghi withdrawal puts Del Piero back in business

October 10, 2000
SportsServer

ANCONA, Italy - Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero will start in his country's World Cup Group 8 qualifier with Georgia Wednesday, Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni confirmed Tuesday evening.

Del Piero will replace his clubmate Filippo Inzaghi, who was sent home after contracting flu early Tuesday. Trapattoni has chosen Del Piero rather than fielding Vicenzo Montella alongside Francesco Totti and Marco Delvecchio in an all-AS Roma front line.

Trapattoni was keen to point out that his choice was not a gesture of charity toward Del Piero, whose international pedigree has never been fully proven at the highest level despite a glittering club career.

Trapattoni said: "I evaluated the way Montella would have balanced the Roma trio in attack, and it is not out of the question that during the game I will call on his great ability to finish in the penalty area.

"But I chose Del Piero purely on merit after watching him work hard every day. I am not being charitable (in selecting Del Piero)."

Del Piero looked to be surplus to requirements Saturday, when Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni started with a front three of Inzaghi, Delvecchio and Totti and all three repaid him with a goal apiece in the 3-0 drubbing of Romania in Milan.

The Juventus player has never quite produced the goods when it mattered with the "Azzurri" and failed to fulfill his potential in Euro '96, the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

He was blamed by many in Italy for missing two gilt-edged chances to kill the Euro 2000 final with eventual winner France when the score was 1-0 to the Italians.

But Trapattoni gave a clear hint he would pick Del Piero when he fielded him in the starting lineup in a training session at Ancona Tuesday night and later confirmed his choice with his remarks to the press.

Looking after the reserves was former Italian international Claudio Gentile, giving another clear sign that he will replace his 1982 World Cup-winning teammate Marco Tardelli as under-21 boss.

Some reports say Gentile will act as an assistant to Trapattoni, who will have overall command of both the senior side and the under-21s.

Tardelli, who on Wednesday will become the new Inter Milan coach, will leave the helm of the under-21 side later Tuesday night after the match with its Georgian counterpart at Fermo.
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