Del Piero: Juve forever!

July 17, 2001
Juventus Official Site

Alessandro Del Piero is ready to face a new season as a protagonist, both personally and as a team. Juve champion speaks about the market, Lippi, the opponents, and about this new Juventus' expectations. This team is more and more his team.

RESPONSIBILITIES: "Great responsibilities, I couldn't tell if greater than in the past. Being the leader does not trouble me too much. I particularly care for the responsibilities of taking the field and everything that comes along with this concept. I'm motivated by a number of reasons, included the fact that we got this close to win championship two times in a row. I hope my help will be important, decisive, part of a winning team. Though I'm aware this is the time of the year when a bunch of expectations and hope arise, but we do have true expectations."

CHANGES: "I expected some of the changes that actually took place, though not as many as I saw. Zidane's transfer surprised me, same for Inzaghi. But I also perceived they've been smooth farewells, which means a good agreement on the main issues for both parties. On the other hand, we now got the most powerful players available on the market. Among the newcomers, Buffon's surprised me the most, both for his private situation and because I think Van Der Sar is an excellent goalkeeper."

PRESENT JUVENTUS: "I cannot tell whether we're stronger compared to the past season, let's hope so. We only need to get first placement. I'm aware that in the past two years we've lived an odd atmosphere, but I would not say this was the only reason why we haven't reached the top. We ourselves made a few mistakes."

WITHOUT ZIDANE: "Obviously, Juventus will differ. But I'm also sure Lippi has already thought of something and that he will be trying out different tactical answers, considering each one of us wants to play in the most congenial position."

WHAT TO IMPROVE: "Personally I want to improve my number of scorings, but what I really want is to help the team in every moment. Our offensive line, though missing important players like Zidane and Inzaghi, has not weakened, because those who stayed, including Amoruso who is now back, are strongly motivated. To cite Lippi, we need to improve our aggressiveness."

THE TRANSFER MARKET: "Nobody talked about me? I think I've already had my share back in January, actually I've sort of asked for it! No other rumours now, because evidently they were busy with other players, though the market is an ever lasting surprise. Considering my relations with the managing staff, I hope to stay here forever."

SIGNINGS: "Two years after, my renewal is no big thing any longer...on the contrary. They've been rising and rising, it's a consequence of the market itself. My signing caused a sensation because it was the first of that sort."

ANCELOTTI-LIPPI: "I've talked to Ancelotti already. We got along very well and it showed. Now, it's Lippi's turn a trainer we won a lot with and we also had wonderful years together. We mean to experience that again. We all know Lippi very well, I'm sure this will give us a bug advantage."

TREZEGUET: "Let's hope to do great things together. But considering all the engagements scheduled, Champions League, IFA Cup, (we do not want to cut a poor figure like last year!) we won't be pairing all the time. Anyway, when the time will come, we'll do our very best. David is technically talented, flair for scoring, good at headplaying and at cutting in. We'll try to mutually push our own skills."

NEDVED: "Here I'm sure he'll confirm all the skills he's renowned for. Undoubtedly very important for the team."

THE OPPONENTS: "Good for Roma not to make any major changes. Juventus and Milan choose to strengthen up very much. At the starting grid, also Lazio and Inter, the last having skills that were not able to show in the past, for many reasons."
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