Alex set for comeback

July 15, 1999
Juventus Official Site

Alessandro Del Piero is quietly satisfied, as measured in his emotions as in his words. He talks about his recovery, explains his feelings and it does not take much to understand how much the experience of this last year has matured him.

On Monday in the Stadio Perucca in Saint-Vincent, against a Valle D' Aosta XI, Alex will play the first of a series of friendlies that Ancelotti has organised especially for him. A good start but he must not rush things. "It'll be another important step but the target is still a long way off," he says. "It depends how things develop over the next few weeks."

However, there is a realistic objective. "If I carry on like this, I believe I'll be able to play in the first match of the season on 29 August."

His work schedule is reviewed on a daily basis and Alex cannot say yet whether he will only be playing in friendlies over the summer or, later on, in the Intertoto Cup. "In terms of technical and tactical training, I'm following the same programme as the rest of the squad," he explains. "I've obviously got a personalised programme in the gym, as everyone has, that takes into account the need to strengthen my left leg."

The knee that has been operated on is responding perfectly but he has has another reason to be pleased, having rediscovered "the intention, or rather the instinct, of making certain movements on the field to which I was no longer used."

Del Piero speaks about how he first felt when crashing into a team-mate on the field: "I acted normally but immediately afterwards I had a moment's hesitation - I looked at my left leg and realised everything was OK. It was an important moment."

Positive, indeed excellent, signs. Alex feels sure of himself but knows his return will not be a bed of roses. However, he does not think it will take him a whole season to get back to his best. "I don't think it'll be a year of transition for me, twelve months is going a bit far."

8 November last year is a long way away now but Del Piero quips: "Perhaps I'll ask not to play on that date!"
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