The target
Yet Del Piero finds whistles on the friendly match

October 30, 2000
Il Corriere della Sera

By Roberto Perrone

ROME - Then, the people, don't dislike him as it seems. Alex Del Piero leaves between two lines of kids who try to snatch an autrograph from him. Certainly, malignant people say, it's a sign of his existence. Three players for one role, the fantasista one, but only one laughs, the little Gianfranco Zola who who passes from the Queen to the Pope in twelve days. "A fantastic thing". Roberto Baggio goes away with a misterious pain which had kept him from playing and that often hide a sorrow or a refusal. But how, even here? Even here, even here. Del Piero got his brave Jubilee memory medal, like the others, but amazingly, at the Olimpico sacred land for a day, he got even a stroke of whistles when he missed a goal.

The only target on the most altruistic match ever, while Roberto Baggio, on the bench, was honoured with friendly chants. However the first is catholic, the second buddhist: doesn't that count? The troubled fantasista's little cloud (worst than the Ragioniere's one*) followed him until the Sportsmen Jubilee, where even Mihajlovic was applauded, the former bad boy who is now willing to give his hand to Vieira. "I've already made two steps forward, now it's up to him". A hand, he should have given even to Del Piero, leaving him the way open.

Let's make a test of conscience: hasn't the shot to Del Piero became a habit already? "Today we only think of the nice things", has said Trapattoni. Oh no, let's think of those ugly ones and launch a rejoicing campaign: accept Del Piero, applaud him even if he makes a mistake. And whoever has no sins whistles, if they have the courage.

* The ragioniere is a mention to "Ragionier Fantozzi", an Italian character who is the typical loser, and who is even followed by little dark clouds when he goes on vacation.
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