From the papers

July 20, 1999
Juventus Official Site

The cover stories are all about comeback kid Alex Del Piero. Eight months on from the day he picked up his injury at Udinese the Juventus playmaker is back to what he does best. And nobody does it better. He puts in tackles, covers for his team-mates and is creative. That fateful day in November [the 8th to be precise] seems light years away. The friendly against a Valle d'Aosta XI was specifically arranged to check on Alex's progress and there were encouraging signs. Del Piero's also sounded upbeat. "There's still a lot of work to be done, but I'm very pleased with my progress. This was only a small step. I can't forget the support I've had from people. Playing in the Intertoto is tempting but I mustn't make the mistake of rushing things."

Inter's training camp is also covered in detail by today's sports papers. Within the camp there is a prevailing mood of revenge. The new coach Marcello Lippi knows where he's going. "The burden that I feel inside is something I can see in the players' faces. The situation is very similar to the one at Juventus. There too we needed to rebuild."

Gazzetta dello Sport's headline runs: "Yes, it's Del Piero!", Alex says he is "pleased and happy" and is already thinking in terms of his official comeback, probably in the third round of the Intertoto Cup. "A great comeback in the friendly at St. Vincent. On the pitch he showed he wasn't afraid of challenges for the ball and even tried a few tricks - great goal."

Meanwhile Juventus have not yet finished dabbling on the transfer market. "Juventus are thinking about transferring Henry to Arsenal. The Bianconeri are not denying that negotiations are underway. These could also be linked to Anelka." Today is when Milan restart training. "EuroZac [reflecting Zaccheroni's wish to perform well in the Champions League] launches Milan. The coach is already soaking up the atmosphere of European competition." Zaccheroni spices up the season with some fighting talk: "Once again the other teams are underestimating us, but we'll show them." He explains that this will be a year when Milan play different teams for different competitions as they would be overstretched otherwise. The Champion's League is an exciting prospect, I can't wait to start. I have a good understanding with Shevchenko, give it six months and you'll see who the champions are."

Tuttosport's opening headline runs: "Welcome back Alex. After an eight month absence Del Piero marks his return with one of his trademark goals." Emiliano Mondonico's Torino are looking high and low for a quality player. "Morfeo coup. Fiorentina confirms that the deal is all but done." From the Sarre training camp Inter's new coach Lippi is champing at the bit: "I can't wait to get back to doing my job. We have a wonderful group. For now we'll start off as we are, making changes where necessary as we go, buying as well as selling. I am very happy with the players I have available. I saw Ronaldo on TV and he seems to be making good progress and seems to have lost weight by comparison with last season. The bottom line is for him not to be injured any more."

Finally to Corriere dello Sport, which also opens with the big story of Del Piero's comeback. "Del Piero goal. Yesterday was his first game after eight months out due to a very serious knee injury. And straight away he scores one of his trademark goals, a class finish." On to the transfer merry-go-round: "Lazio in training yesterday at Formello, Anelka breaks with Arsenal. Perugia: club president Gaucci gives coach Mazzone a present by taking Rapajc off the transfer list. Arsenal have begun to court Thierry Henry with a 27bn lira [£9.3m] offer, Juventus will reply tomorrow. Nicola Amoruso may go to Torino tomorrow, who would then give Ferrante to Cagliari. Daino to Perugia. Parma's no for Vanoli, Inter renew their efforts to sign Candela. Verona: Falsini to sign, undecided about Frey and close to signing Graffiedi from Milan. Udinese sign Montenegro. Having accepted Hubner's rejection, Lecce await a reply from Balleri."
.