Del Piero again ruled out of line-up

June 8, 2002
Daily Soccer

IBARAKI - Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni once again ruled out Del Piero from today's World Cup match with Croatia and the player will have to resign himself to bench.

However, Del Piero did not fail to comment on this issue:
"I am well-aware there are a lot of people, including myself, who would like to see me playing today. However, I am never jealous of my team-mates on pitch and this is good, as I feel I am always beloved. Inzaghi once hinted that I am like Solskjaer, as I always try to make a difference as I enter the pitch. However, I want to have the leading role and play in the line-up. I am well-aware now, I will have to spent most of my time on bench for the match with Croatia, but I would like to enter the pitch if only for half an hour."

Meanwhile, Vincenzo Montella who was also left out from the first eleven, does not keep back his disappointment and makes it clear in the joyful setting of the Italian team.
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