Del Piero Scores on Return After Long Injury Layoff
TURIN, Italy, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Alessandro Del Piero marked his return to action with a goal as strike partner Filippo Inzaghi helped himself to a hat-trick in Juventus's 5-1 win over Russians Rostselmash Rostov in their Intertoto Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday.
Del Piero, a 55th minute substitute, was playing his first competitive game since he suffered a serious knee ligament injury nine months ago. Inzaghi opened the scoring in the 34th minute but Rostov drew level through Vujan Duyun five minutes later. Alessio Tacchinardi restored Juventus's lead four
minutes after the break with a sizzling shot on the half-volley.
But Del Piero made his mark on the second half. Just ten minutes after taking the field he set up Filippo Inzaghi's second goal, neatly jinking round the Russian goalkeeper and slipping the ball into the path of Inzaghi.
Inzaghi returned the favour in the 76th minute as he slipped the ball to Del Piero and the Italian international finished with his customary confidence.
Juventus now face Rennes in the final stages of the Intertoto and a victory would earn them a place in this seasons UEFA Cup.
