Trapattoni faces Del Piero dilemma

June 16, 2002
FIFAworldcup.com

Written by Simon Evans

CHONAN, South Korea - It was always going to be a juggling act for Giovanni Trapattoni to keep his five-star collection of attacking talent happy and now the Italy coach faces another selection dilemma ahead of Tuesday's second round game against South Korea.

Alessandro Del Piero was left on the bench for Italy's three group games but his late equaliser against Mexico, which saved face and made sure they progressed, has increased the pressure on Trapattoni to include the striker against the co-hosts.

Against Mexico Trapattoni adjusted his formation to incorporate Filippo Inzaghi, who had missed the opening game against Ecuador due to a knee injury and was used from the bench in the 2-1 defeat by Croatia.

But Inzaghi's predatory instincts looked somewhat dulled against the Mexicans, with the striker twice hesitating when put into good scoring positions.

Those missed opportunities led Inzaghi to be replaced by Vincenzo Montella, a player who has the knack of scoring vital goals when coming off the bench, although this time the 'Little aeroplane' proved his worth as a provider by hooking in the cross for Del Piero's goal.

Having spent much of the past two years in verbal spats with his club coach Fabio Capello when left on the bench with AS Roma, there were fears that Montella could be a headache for Trapattoni but apart from a rather childish exchange with Francesco Totti, the Naples-born forward has accepted his restricted role with surprising grace.

In fact Montella has been a model professional in training, buzzing enthusiastically and clearly trying to make an impression on Trapattoni.

His number 20 shirt and his habit of scoring goals when they matter most has led to comparisons with Italy's 1982 World Cup winning hero Paolo Rossi.

Montella may be slightly irritated by such talk but it is certainly preferable to the constant comparisons with Roberto Baggio that have followed Del Piero over the past five years.

The pair were direct competitors for a place in the team at the World Cup in France four years ago and while there is no Baggio this time for Italy, Del Piero has still been unable to establish a role for himself in Trapattoni's line-up.

One of the quandaries Trapattoni must answer is what exactly is the position Del Piero is competing for?

'He is neither a playmaker nor an out-and-out striker,' said Trapattoni when pressed as to where Del Piero could find a space against South Korea.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was probably close to the mark when he said Del Piero's selection will depend on the tactical approach Trapattoni takes.

'If you want a forward who will come back and help in the defensive work then yes, but if you are looking at a more attacking line-up then maybe not,' Buffon said.
.