Give Del Piero a break say Italian press

June 14, 2002
Daily Soccer

ROME, Italy (AFP) - The Italian press on Friday called on Azzurri coach Giovanni Trapattoni to give Alessandro Del Piero a starting slot after their new hero saved them World Cup embarrassment.

The Juventus striker scored in the dying minutes of Italy's clash with Mexico to earn them a 1-1 draw and, with the help of Ecuador, a place in the second round.

Del Piero is a big favourite with the Italian fans and press and has a cartoon strip dedicated to him in his homeland. But for the moment his popularity hasn't been good enough to help him dislodge Francesco Totti.

"Grazie Ale," roared the headline in Milan-based sport's paper Gazzetta dello Sport, a universal message in the Italian media.

The Italo Cucci went a stage further in its editorial. "The prowess of Del Piero is the one asset that Italy, to successfully make her way to the final, need. Del Piero wasn't in Trapattoni's plans but at the moment I can't see why our coach can't use him."

Others were grateful at Italy's fortune but insist Trapattoni needs to start working harder.

"Trap is blessed," wrote Corriere dello Sport. "Italy passed her thanks to Ecuador but the coach needs to wake himself up."
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