Alessandro Del Piero

[Juventino]

I touched on it in another thread, but it deserves its own. Del Piero has now become the all time appearance maker for Juventus with 553 games, surpassing the legendary Gaetano Scirea.

This is what I remember of the great man -

I feel lucky to have grown up and been able to watch the skills and the development of the great man since his debut for us in 1993. Over the years he has had his critics but always responds. Alex is one of the great gentlemen of modern football, and is the epitome of fair play. You will not see him dive or complain, he accepts what comes to him with grace and he is a modest individual. He loves Juventus, he loves the tifosi and we all love him.

I remember to start 1994/95 he was only hours from joining Parma on loan for the season after he made an impressive start to his career the season prior. He scored at hattrick in his first start. So come the start of that season it was thought with Baggio there would be no room for Alex. But there were some injury problems with Baggio and he only ended up playing half the season. There are two main reasons why Baggio left Juve. Firstly he had run ins with Lippi. Secondly, there was Alex Del Piero. This youngster was so promising that we could afford to let go of Baggio. yes he did have some injury concerns but by the end of the season he was fine again, but he was off to Milan. Del Piero went from his understudy to the fantasista in his own right. The #10 was now his. He was part of a front three in 1995/96 with Vialli and Ravanelli - a quite lethal trident. And by May 1996, Alex was king of Europe. He scored some amazing goals in the Champions League, such as against Rangers, Borussia Dortmund and Steaua Bucharest and then a most important goal in the quaters against Real Madrid and the 22nd of May he lifted the trophy. By November, he conquered the world, his goal beating River Plate in Tokyo. That season would end in another Scudetto but Champions League disappointment in Munich. Alex did come off the bench and score one of his best goals though.

Enter 1997/98 and it was Alex's best ever season. He scored 21 goals in Serie A and 10 in the Champions League, which meant he was the highest scorer. Together with Inzaghi there were 40 goals. And with Zidane as the playmaker, it was the best attack in Europe. There was another Scudetto and a classic Alex goal against Inter in the title decider. He dribbled through the defence and near the goal line beat Pagliuca and the title was black and white for a 25th time. Again there was European heartbreak and Alex was not fully fit for the final, adding to the misery.

Round 8, 1998/99. The day that changed Ale. The Stadio Friuli, Udinese vs Juventus. Del Piero was chasing a ball into the box and fell awkwardly. He did his knee and was not to play again until 1999/2000. It all changed from then on. Alex was still a great player and is to this day. But there is a magical quality that he no longer would posses after that day in November. Just imagine if Cristiano Ronaldo gets injured now. You know how great he is, but sense he could be far better in the future. Well this is how it was with Alex. What turned out to be his peak was awesome, and it happened far too early, at 23. You know he would have been so much better.

In the next two seasons Alex was still finding his feet and coming to terms with what happened. He was a changed player. The technique and class did not leave him, and it never will. But he not longer possesed the great pace to beat defenders. He used his brain far more as a footballer now. As far as the Scudetto went, both seasons ended in heartbreak, with Juve surrendering a 9 point lead to Lazio in 2000, with that fateful day on a rain soaked Perugia pitch proving the difference while Roma never gave Juve a sniff the season after.

But Juve and Alex were back in 2001/02, with that memorable Scudetto, where Inter capitulated in Rome on the final day and Juve won in Udine. This was sweet for Alex who scored a goal to win the Scudetto on the same pitch, near the same spot where he injured himself in 1998. His partnership with Trezeguet was established and it has not been broken to this day. 2002/03 was the best season post injury for Alessandro. Another CL final, another goal against Real Madrid to elimnate them along the way, but another tragedy, this time in Manchester. Alex did convert from the penalty spot though, in some small consilation. And there was Scudetto number 27 to savour, this time a convincing 8 point margin of victory over Inter. What cost Alex in these two seasons was niggling injuries just at his peak form. But nonetheless he always showed his quality.

2003/04 saw Juve finish 3rd and there was a disappointing early exit in Europe. Lippi was gone for a second time and by the start of 2004/05 was Alex's place in the starting line up. In came Capello and in came Ibrahimovic. Alex was now the super sup but still managed over 15 goals in 2004/05 and a bicycle kick which set up Trezeguet to win the title in Milan. Europe was again not to be, with Liverpool denying Alex, with a goal wrongly disallowed, and Juventus. 2005/06 was much of the same. On the bench, winning Lo Scudetto, this time in more convincing fashion and heartbreak in Europe, this time it was Arsenal. The titles were taken away, but Alex's heart was not.

He stayed with us, and for that I am forever greatful, as are all the tifosi. In Serie B he showed what a professional he was by going out there, even after World Cup glory, and doing his job with Juventus. It was a memorable season personally for Alex, notching up his 500th Juventus game and 200th goal in the process. Serie B was won and it was back to more familiar surroundings in Serie A. But thankyou for the season in the cadetti.

This season there have been question marks over Alex but it has not fazed him. He signed a new contract and began to play some beautiful football. When it looked like Iaquinta would take his spot, like Ibra, he responded with goals. The season is not over, there is still a job to do and Alex will be there to finish off I am sure.

On the international front, he made his debut in 1995, I think vs Estonia in a Euro qualifier. he went to England the next June and played one game. Then came 1998 and as I mentioned earlier Alex was injured at that time. We did not see his best in France and he was widely criticised. Two years later it would be two awful misses one on one with Barthez in the final with the score at 1-0 to Italy that would see France get back into the match. He was a star in 2002, he got us through to the second round and when he went off vs South Korea it all went wrong. When it all went wrong two years later in Portugal people thought it would be the end. However in true Del Piero style he came back at World Cup 2006 and played his part like the champion he is. His goal vs Germany was brilliant, running all the way from defence to round off a counter attack. He scored a penalty in the final shootout for good measure. He may or may not go to Euro 2008, but on this season's form I cannot see why he should not be in the squad.

And that is Alesandro Del Piero. Loyal, modest, a great player and above all a champion.

Grazie Ale.

Del Piero flicks

Vs Borussia Dortmund
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HWZ6Poph7k

Vs Torino
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91i6HEFFnac

Vs Piacenza
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNNQ5srENhY

Vs Siena
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NsqLN3cYOU

Del Piero free kicks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-nO6xFVPJk

The legendary goal vs Fiorentina
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5pHAd2gE2g

Del Piero vs Lazio a week after the above goal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSC1KZT9Dv0

Compilation - This shows some of his best goals, like the 'zona Del Piero' goals, where he cuts in from the left and scores in the top corner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-Svt_A1 ... re=related

Honours -

With Juventus -

Scudetto (5) - 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98, 2001/02, 2002/03. Two also revoked.
Coppa Italia (1) - 1994/95
Supercoppa Italiana - (4) - 1995/96, 1997/98, 2002/03, 2003/04
Champions League (1) - 1995/96
European Supercup (1) - 1996/97
Intercontinental Cup (1) - 1996/97

With Italy -

World Cup (1) - 2006

Could have been countless more if we could win in Europe, but impressive nonetheless.

[delfino_1936]

brilliant write up juventino, he is a champion player, could've single handedly won Italia the European Championships in 2000 but it wasn't to be.

by the way the write up was 1,333 words

that's a great effort

[Juventino]

I'm meant to be working on an essay for uni as well . Ah well, the legend is more important .

[delfino_1936]

I'm meant to be working on an essay for uni as well . Ah well, the legend is more important .

farrrk uni, it's all about calcio these days.

holidays coming up, can't farrrken wait

[adriano10]

very good write up juventino - and that's coming from a man who has a passionate hatred for juve!

[ronaldo07]

he's a champ ..
a true champ that let's his football skills do his talking ..
i like him as a player !!

[Le King]

who do u guys wish u were growin up.....

Baggio or Del Piero??

[BAGGIO 15]

Bravo Alex.

[diegom]

who do u guys wish u were growin up.....

Baggio or Del Piero??

Baggio

what about u mufcboy????

[sparrow]

who do u guys wish u were growin up.....

Baggio or Del Piero??

Alan Shearer

[Translator]

when judging ADP there are a few extra considerations

1. pre-98 and post-98 were two very different players.
2. EPO
3. Goal scored from penalty spot won by Moggi

but after a interesting career no one can begrudge him with his efforts this season especially as he is in his twilight days, you have to ignore he tried to get a bigger pay packet elsewhere before the season started but no offers came to the table

Also put many of Inzaghi's goals on a platter.

[delfino_1936]

who do u guys wish u were growin up.....

Baggio or Del Piero??

Alan Shearer

at you for putting his name on the same post as Baggio or ADP.


for me has to be Baggio

[Le King]

Baggio!
was a gun.... apart from WC94 when romario and bebeto ruled

[sparrow]

who do u guys wish u were growin up.....

Baggio or Del Piero??

Alan Shearer

at you for putting his name on the same post as Baggio or ADP.


for me has to be Baggio

Del Piero 375 App 148 goals
Italy 83 App 27 goals

Baggio 644 App 291 goals
Italy 57 App 27 goals

Shearer 734 App 378 goals
England 63 App 30 goals

Not denying Del Piero and Baggio were quality players, just pointing out that Shearer was World Class as well so take your Italian blinkers off Rigoni and recognise a great man.

Not in the same class

[Hawkesy]

Del Piero 375 App 148 goals
Italy 83 App 27 goals

Baggio 644 App 291 goals
Italy 57 App 27 goals

Shearer 734 App 378 goals
England 63 App 30 goals

Not denying Del Piero and Baggio were quality players, just pointing out that Shearer was World Class as well so take your Italian blinkers off Rigoni and recognise a great man.

Not in the same class

I find it best to let stats speak for themselves in these matters.

Domestic (Goals per game)
Del Piero: 0.39
Baggio: 0.45
Shearer: 0.51

International (Goals per game)
Del Piero: 0.33
Baggio: 0.47
Shearer: 0.48

Incidentally, when I was young playing football in the street. I was ALWAYS Bryan Robson.

[delfino_1936]

Alan Shearer

at you for putting his name on the same post as Baggio or ADP.


for me has to be Baggio

Del Piero 375 App 148 goals
Italy 83 App 27 goals

Baggio 644 App 291 goals
Italy 57 App 27 goals

Shearer 734 App 378 goals
England 63 App 30 goals

Not denying Del Piero and Baggio were quality players, just pointing out that Shearer was World Class as well so take your Italian blinkers off Rigoni and recognise a great man.

Not in the same class

relax mate, Shearer was a great player no denying that.

But he was an out and out striker Baggio wasn't and Del Piero hasn't been all his career.

Baggio and Del Piero are seen as the playmakers, the no.10 role not the ones that bag tons of goals year in year out.

Hence my comment. Yes though, Alan Shearer was quality.

[Juventino]

But take this Shearer garbage away from the topic about the great man.

[diegom]

for me has to be Baggio[/quote]

Del Piero 375 App 148 goals
Italy 83 App 27 goals

Baggio 644 App 291 goals
Italy 57 App 27 goals

Shearer 734 App 378 goals
England 63 App 30 goals

Not denying Del Piero and Baggio were quality players, just pointing out that Shearer was World Class as well so take your Italian blinkers off Rigoni and recognise a great man.

Not in the same class [/quote]

relax mate, Shearer was a great player no denying that.

But he was an out and out striker Baggio wasn't and Del Piero hasn't been all his career.

Baggio and Del Piero are seen as the playmakers, the no.10 role not the ones that bag tons of goals year in year out.

Hence my comment. Yes though, Alan Shearer was quality.[/quote]



Very goood rebuttable, riggsy - I was also goin to comment about shearer bein an out and out striker, whereas baggio and del piero were more attackin midfielders.
Its like comparing Ronaldo to Rooney,
OOOOoooops, Ronaldo has scored more than Rooney this year!
More like comparing Torres with Gerrard

Also Riggsy, ask him how many goals were givin to shearer on a platter???
Its pretty easy to score when the ball was givin to shearer to tap in
to my knowledge, Baggio rarely got given goals, he would usually be the instigator!

[Hillsfootball]

The problem with Del Piero is that he is a Juve player. That, in itself, is an issue.
If he was in any other (honest) team, it probably would have add more credibility to the "essay" written and obviously, deserved all the accolades mentioned.

Nevertheless Del Piero plays for Juventus a team that only in the last two years demonstrated a touch of honesty. Many games won in the past (and not only in the two years investigated in calciopoli) were won by corrupting officials (referees) and manipulating other teams. Hence, I doubt you can call him a real champion.
Perhaps, I give to him for having played in Serie B.
With the national team, Del Piero always had a contradditing relationship, but he did his duty and that is all.

[Hawkesy]

Also Riggsy, ask him how many goals were givin to shearer on a platter???
Its pretty easy to score when the ball was givin to shearer to tap in
to my knowledge, Baggio rarely got given goals, he would usually be the instigator!

Even if you decide Shearer's goals were given to him on a plate, I would deny that by the way. That's the art of being a striker, being in the right place at the right time. Gary Lineker score 49 (or was it 48) international goals and rarely scored from outside the 6 yard box. Top goalscorer at the 1986 World Cup by being a "fox in the box".

[Piola]

OMG Michael Owen is better than Pirlo!!!!!! he has scored more goals

you


Del Piero is and always will be a legend. Hasn't had the best of luck with the Azzurri, Euro 2000 final comes to mind but as an anti-Juventino the one moment I'll always love is this - "AND FOR DEL PIEROOOOOOOOOO YES!! GLORY FOR ITALY!!" fukn brilliant commentary

[delfino_1936]

The problem with Del Piero is that he is a Juve player. That, in itself, is an issue.
If he was in any other (honest) team, it probably would have add more credibility to the "essay" written and obviously, deserved all the accolades mentioned.

Nevertheless Del Piero plays for Juventus a team that only in the last two years demonstrated a touch of honesty. Many games won in the past (and not only in the two years investigated in calciopoli) were won by corrupting officials (referees) and manipulating other teams. Hence, I doubt you can call him a real champion.
Perhaps, I give to him for having played in Serie B.
With the national team, Del Piero always had a contradditing relationship, but he did his duty and that is all.

[Hawkesy]

OMG Michael Owen is better than Pirlo!!!!!! he has scored more goals

you


Del Piero is and always will be a legend. Hasn't had the best of luck with the Azzurri, Euro 2000 final comes to mind but as an anti-Juventino the one moment I'll always love is this - "AND FOR DEL PIEROOOOOOOOOO YES!! GLORY FOR ITALY!!" shiraz brilliant commentary

The point of this matter is, you italians refuse to ever accept that another nationality can produce a player as good or better than your own. Try and look outside your own backyard for once.

[Piola]

OMG Michael Owen is better than Pirlo!!!!!! he has scored more goals

you


Del Piero is and always will be a legend. Hasn't had the best of luck with the Azzurri, Euro 2000 final comes to mind but as an anti-Juventino the one moment I'll always love is this - "AND FOR DEL PIEROOOOOOOOOO YES!! GLORY FOR ITALY!!" shiraz brilliant commentary

The point of this matter is, you italians refuse to ever accept that another nationality can produce a player as good or better than your own. Try and look outside your own backyard for once.

Shearer is a classic no.9 type striker, Del Piero is a classic No. 10 type playmaker. Noone said Shearer was shit, just that we doesnt compare to Alex. :?

[Hawkesy]

Shearer is a classic no.9 type striker, Del Piero is a classic No. 10 type playmaker. Noone said Shearer was cabernet, just that we doesnt compare to Alex. :?

Finally some sense being spoken. You are correct Shearer doesn't compare with ADP. It's not fair you even mention them in the same sentance, ADP's goals per game is not even close to Shearer's.

[Juventino]

Get this Shearer garbage to another thread

[JUVE 11]

Brilliant post Juventino !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (the best i've ever read)

No doubt the number 1 Legend and Champion of the club.

Grazie Alex !!!

[sparrow]

Also Riggsy, ask him how many goals were givin to shearer on a platter???
Its pretty easy to score when the ball was givin to shearer to tap in
to my knowledge, Baggio rarely got given goals, he would usually be the instigator!

Actually do some research before you generalise. Shearer was a typical centre forward who scored everyway possible. Headers, volleys, left foot, right foot, free kicks, penalties, brilliant strength. Positioning and reading of the play was magnificent. To say he scored tap ins proves you haven't got a clue ffs

[diegom]

Also Riggsy, ask him how many goals were givin to shearer on a platter???
Its pretty easy to score when the ball was givin to shearer to tap in
to my knowledge, Baggio rarely got given goals, he would usually be the instigator!

Actually do some research before you generalise. Shearer was a typical centre forward who scored everyway possible. Headers, volleys, left foot, right foot, free kicks, penalties, brilliant strength. Positioning and reading of the play was magnificent. To say he scored tap ins proves you haven't got a clue ffs

Ok well then teach me sir???
I cant be bothered researchin Alan Shearer, cos I believe he does not even compare to ADP shoelaces.
And frankly, cant be bothered how many tap ins he received compared to volleys etc

Anwer my question or STFU!


What amazes me is that an Italian posted a topic about a great Italian player, once surprise, surprise a pommy twat like urself had to invade it with a pommy player!
Why dont u start ur own topic and talk about has-bins in there, and leave this topic for the great A>D>P

[thesoupnazi]

ill answer your questions shearer and delpiero not in the same league as baggio any1 who thinks different might as well support another sport