From the papers

August 6, 1999
Juventus Official Site

Alessandro Del Piero and Michael Schumacher continue to dominate the sporting news. The Juventus ace appears to have convinced Azzurri chief Dino Zoff of his fitness after a long lay-off and could be called up for the squad to face Denmark on September 18. The German driver, on the other hand, is waiting to hear if he can resume behind the wheel for Ferrari and hopes to get the OK from his doctors later today.

The main story in the three sports dailies is about Italy coach Dino Zoff who is the latest to jump on the Del Piero bandwagon. Zoff has promised to keep tabs on the Juventus player in the lead-up to the Denmark game and is expected to reward him with a call-up. Del Piero is thrilled with events: having stood up to a shuddering challenge the other night, the forward feels he now needs to get some games under his belt in order to improve his sharpness. Del Piero’s club boss, Carlo Ancelotti, has given his vote of confidence to striker Inzaghi - "full of confidence and willing to play for the team" - and tough defender Montero, whom he refuses to make a scapegoat for recent defensive lapses, pointing to the Uruguayan whole-hearted commitment to the Juve cause.

Corriere dello Sport warns Serie A to beware the axis powers of Del Piero and Inzaghi. Together they are a mouth-watering prospect for the rest of the Juventus side, especially in the wake of a night Del Piero considered the best of his career. Tuttosport calls for him to be reinstated in the national team, especially now that he is a likely starter in Tuesday’s Intertoto tie with Rennes - when Ancelotti may also include Zidane. This devotional fervour extends to Inzaghi who passed th 50-goal mark in Cesena and feels his game can only get better. And even La Stampa gives prominence to the Juventus no 10 who kicked any remaining fears into touch with one devastating run at goal.

Corriere runs another of the day’s major football stories: the demand for professional referees has split the referee's 'union' as many match officials are reluctant to give up their day jobs. Indeed there has even been talk of setting up an official union. Reggina also make the front page after a 1-0 (Baronio) win over Napoli; Milan are in action tonight in the televised clash with Bayer Leverkusen, and Lazio have Mancini for their game in the Cadice tournament.

Gazzetta highlights the sponsorship deal agreed between car giants Fiat- who have just celebrated their centenary - and the Italian national team, which deal comes into effect in time for the Italy-Denmark international. Fiat will sponsor the men’s and women’s national teams, the Under-21s and younger age groups plus the five-a-side teams. The deal runs until 2002.

Also making headlines are Torino, 3-1 winners against Varese courtesy of two more goals from top striker Ferrante. Tuttosport goes on to tell us that Torino are better than AC Milan, who a few days ago could only draw with lowly Varese. And La Stampa reports how a gazelle-like Diawara inspired Torino to a footballing masterclass.
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