November 17, 1997
SportsServer

MILAN - Ronaldo gave Italy's coach Cesare Maldini a piece of advice here on Monday -- 'start using Alessandro Del Piero.'

Del Piero, who scored twice in Italy's memorable 3-3 draw with Brazil at last summer's Tournoi de France, has never established himself in Maldini's starting line-up.

The Juventus striker has played in each of Italy's last three matches -- but only ever as a late substitute.

And Ronaldo had a tip for Maldini, who is 44 years his senior.

"If I was coach of the national team I would always use someone like Del Piero, he's a truly great player," he said. "But obviously, Italy are coached by someone who has different ideas about football to me."

Inter coach Gigi Simoni supported the Brazilian's view, saying: "You need muscle in a team, but you also need quality. 

"I back the more technical players, because the kind of football I prefer to watch is the kind you get from the likes of Ronaldo and Del Piero."
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