Trap denies Del Piero rift

June 6, 2002
Reuters

SENDAI, Japan - Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has dismissed reports that striker Alessandro Del Piero has become estranged from the rest of the squad.

Del Piero was a substitute in Italy's opening 2-0 win over Ecuador on Monday, coming on in the 74th minute.

And Trapattoni has already told the Juventus star he will not be starting Italy's second game against Croatia, with Roma's Francesco Totti playing behind the two strikers Pippo Inzaghi and Christian Vieri.

'Some papers have said that I have put out Del Piero but that is not true,' Trapattoni said.

'The fact that he played 20 minutes in the last game shows that he deserves to be here like the others. He was one of the best players in the championship last season.

'All the players here deserve to be here and are considered in the same way,' added the Italy coach.

Although Trapattoni is to return to a three-pronged attack against Croatia on Saturday it is Inzaghi who will partner Vieri in attack.

'Inzaghi, Del Piero and (Vincenzo) Montella have all played well and it is very close, they all have the same chance,' said the Italy coach.

Italy play Croatia in their second group G game on Saturday.
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