Trapattoni rejects reports
of "estranged" Del Piero
June 6, 2002
Fifaworldcup.com
SENDAI, Japan - Italy coach
Giovanni Trapattoni has dismissed reports claiming 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.
"Some papers have said that
I have put out Del Piero but that is not true," Trapattoni told reporters.
"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 Filippo
Inzaghi who will partner Christian 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.
.