Del Piero denies Totti rift

May 14, 2002
Onefootball

Alessandro del Piero has rubbished speculation that he doesn't get on with Roma star Francesco Totti and that the two playmakers can't play together for Italy in the World Cup.

The forward star arrived at the national team's training camp on a high after winning the championship with Juventus, but said that he was now fully focused on the World Cup.

Most of the attention has so far been focused on Del Piero and Totti and speculation that the two stars don't get on. But Del Piero said on Wednesday that there was no problem between the two.

He said: "He wants to have one role and I another one, there is no problem, no rivalry and national coach Giovanni Trapattoni agrees with us."

The Juve star, who has been under pressure to reproduce his club form for his country, added that he hoped that the fans would get behind the team rather than complaining about the players who weren't included in the squad.

He said: "There has been a lot of talk about Roberto Baggio and the fact that he isn't here. Trapattoni made a courageous choice and now supporters and journalists have to think about players who are here.

"Trap made other important choices as well. Other good players aren't here such as [Alessio] Tacchinardi, [Massimo] Ambrosini and [Stefano] Fiore."

The 27-year-old hopes that this World Cup is the tournament where Italy will gain revenge for their Euro 2000 final defeat to France, saying: "Finally we are ready for the World Cup. It is the biggest stage of our careers and we can't deny the fact that we have to get to the final at least.

"I think six or seven teams have the capability of winning the tournament. We are strong in defence and we are a strong unit and work for each other.

"At a personal level I am very happy and I am in fantastic shape. I am confident that this could be my World Cup after being injured before the 1998 World Cup and starting the Euro 2000 tournament on the bench.

"Now I'm ready to be important and I hope to be in Trap's starting XI next to Christian Vieri. I have been playing well, I have been scoring a lot recently and I am more consistent."

Del Piero added that he was delighted that Juve had won the title and that rivals from Inter and Roma had congratulated him when he joined up with the national team.

He said: "Everyone congratulated us, including the Inter players. Here there are only good people. Now all we are team-mates with the same target."
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