Del Piero Issues Warning to Serie A
Copyright � 1998 Nando.net
Copyright � 1998 Reuters
TURIN, Italy (Aug 5, 1998 - 12:36 EDT) - Alessandro Del Piero has warned the rest of the Serie A that he is determined to lay the ghost of the World Cup finals with another great season for Juventus.
Del Piero failed to live up to expectations in France, but recently claimed that he and sacked coach Cesare Maldini were the scapegoats for Italy's quarterfinal exit to the host nation.
Now, with a first pre-season goal under his belt, the 23-year-old's optimism is returning as Juventus prepare to defend their league title against a fresh onslaught by Inter Milan, Lazio and Parma.
Del Piero and strike partner Filippo Inzaghi were the envy of Italy last season with 39 Serie A goals between them. Next month, the challenge of matching that feat in 1998-99 gets underway.
"What we achieved last season will be difficult, if not extremely difficult to repeat," Del Piero said. "The critics who claimed we would not be able to play together or were too lightweight were all proved wrong.
"And now we are going to give everything we can to do even better than that this time around. It won't be easy, despite the fact that we have now been playing together for a whole year."
Inter will once again be the major threat to Juventus, particularly after recruiting former Turin hero Roberto Baggio, the reserve who did far more for Italy's cause in France than first-choice Del Piero.
Inter's scratch side performed well against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday night with promising displays by youngsters Andrea Pirlo and Nicola Ventola, in the absence of Ronaldo, Baggio and Youri Djorkaeff.
Del Piero said: "Inter look pretty good to me, they've got a large squad and could line up at least seven different strike pairings in attack.
"On paper, the main two will be Ronaldo and Baggio -- two players who certainly don't need any introductions and who have all the ingredients needed for a great season.
"But let's not forget players like Zamorano, Ventola, Pirlo and Djorkaeff."
However, Inter are not the only Italian club to have been busy on the transfer market in recent months.
AC Milan have signed the Serie A's top scorer in Udinese's 27-goal Oliver Bierhoff and held on to Dutchman Patrick Kluivert, while Lazio are counting on Chilean ace Marcelo Salas to strengthen their attack. Parma have snapped up Argentinian Abel Balbo from AS Roma.
Del Piero said: "I like the AC Milan pair of Bierhoff and Weah, and now they've kept Kluivert as well. He had a disappointing season but then went on to have a great World Cup and wants to continue that way.
"You'd have to consider him a new player.
"Salas is certainly a good buy. He's proved he can score goals and do his share of helping out in midfield, both at international level and with River Plate. He'll be dangerous whoever he plays with and don't forget this is a side which already has Roberto Mancini and Alen Boksic.
"Parma have added Balbo, but they've also brought in a lot of first-class midfielders," he said. "And the advantages of that are obvious."
