Del Piero: In the end I remained true to myself

October 25, 2001
Daily Soccer

TURIN - After the Champions League tie with FC Porto held on Tuesday Juventus FC playmaker Alessandro Del Piero announced that "he feels that in the end he remained true to himself." Juventus beat the Portuguese side 3-1 in this match.

"I am growing as a player and I felt it especially after recovery from the injury. Now I can take risk although our profession is itself risky. Of course, my teammates, coach Marcelo Lippi and fans helped me much. I am grateful to them," the midfielder announced.

"I never think of what to do and where it will lead me. I only advance not thinking of anything. I'll have something to tell the grandsons when I grow old."

Del Piero's response to the question concerning his decisive goal in the match with Porto was modest: "It is not important whose goal was decisive. Trezeguet and Nedved could score a few minutes before my goal. We understood very well that if we didn't concentrate much more, we would end in a draw. That's why we played defiantly."

"You never know what will happen. Rosenborg seemed not to have chances to reach the second phase but they still can do it. Now we will go to Glasgow more calmly because reaching the second phase was equal to psychological rest. As to the match against Inter, I think it will be very dangerous. Our rivals have left us behind in the table. Even I like the perspective that we can be beaten by such a club as Inter. They are a great team, aren't they?" the midfielder noticed.

And at the end Del Piero make understood that it is time to forget great player Zidane (together with whom he had excellent relations) because he already does not exist. Del Piero himself already proves that he can replace the famous Frenchman on the field.
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