Del Piero to play

July 29, 1999
Juventus Official Site

Alex’s continued progress over the last few days has allowed Ancelotti and the club’s medical staff to fix the date of his return for very soon. The friendly match played on 19 July, in which Del Piero scored a goal, offered a positive sign. Now it will be for real.

The date is set for 4 August in Cesena against Rostselmash, a match that, after the 4-0 victory in the first leg, will mark his official return after nine months of absence.

Alex will not play from the first minute, but Ancelotti wants him for the second half.

For the match against Rostselmash, the Bianconeri coach, confident after the result of the first leg, wants to rest those who have played more and he is expected to make changes.

On the medical front, there are no worries for the injured Zambrotta (a light sprain on the left ankle) and Davids (a swelling on his right knee). The two of them did not play in the afternoon training match.

Tacchinardi, who has completely recovered, did not play the match in Russia because of a tendon problem.

Esnaider, who is still following a special programme, is back on the training field.

Zidane will be available to Ancelotti soon. The Frenchman is training with his colleagues and the Juventus coach thinks he will be able to use him from 10 August.

Ancelotti wanted to clarify the situation about the friendly match in Villar Perosa. “It’s 90 per cent probable the match will be played”, he said. General Director Luciano Moggi said: “We want to respect this commitment which has now become a tradition. Because of the Intertoto Cup we have been forced to cancel all the friendly matches apart from the Trofeo Berlusconi.”

Villar Perosa is another matter:” We are trying to find a possible date to avoid missing the fixture."
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