Tuttosport 20/04/99
Inter has confirmed, through GM Sandro Mazzola, that it is interested in
Alessandro Del Piero, but only when he is a free agent.
Lazio, to be in pole position for the player, has offered to deal Del Piero
now, although this means spending a huge amount of money.
Strong rumors have Milan offering Oliver Bierhoff in exchange for Nicola
Amoruso and Alessio Tacchinardi, but Juventus wants at least Lit. 10
billion (�5.2 million; $6 million) plus the German striker.
For now, Juve's market shows only the acquisition of Gianluca Zambrotta
(BTW, Bari was paid Lit. 20 billion and not 24).
Juve's market depends mostly on the outcome of the Champions League. Hernan
Crespo and Dino Baggio, with the latter strongly favored, are linked to
Juve. As stated in other occasions, with the arrival of Dinone ("Big
Dino"), Didier Deschamps will accept Athletic Bilbao's offer.
Antonio Conte's agents, Alessandro Moggi (son of Luciano) and Franco
Zavaglia, will meet Luciano Moggi Thursday to discuss the player's future.
Derby County and Roma are waiting for the outcome.
Tuttosport analyzed closely the possibility of a Del Piero-Ronaldo swap and
it writes that it's almost impossible that this happens, since Ronaldo is
too much linked to Inter. Inter receives money from Pirelli (Lit. 208
billion = �127 million = $106 million through 2008), Nike (Lit. 220 billion
= �114 million = $133 million through 2009), and Telepi� (Lit. 480 billion
= �248 million = $290 million through 2005), just because of Ronaldo is
their testimonial. Moreover, Ronaldo is an Inter minor partner, having
bought shares of the team last season. Finally, Ronaldo's private
physiotherapist, Nilton Petroni, moved from Rio de Janeiro to Milan and has
been signed by Inter with a multi-year contract.
Gianni Agnelli (who did not insult Zidane as some English newspapers
reported, but only said that Zizou told him that his wife has gained more
importance in decision-making ever since the couple had two kids) said that
he would love to see Del Piero and Ronaldo play together for Juve.
Regarding Del Piero's contract, he says that, just as the trade-union
contract, it's always signed in the end.
Ryan Giggs has a 50-50 chance of playing.
Didier Deschamps, who wishes that Giggs won't play, says that he wouldn't
be surprised if Alex Ferguson decides to use Teddy Sheringham, a player
that has always given problems to Juve, much as Kennet Andersson of
Bologna. Deschamps, who has played 67 games in Eurocups and in 5 finals,
says that Juve must keep its focus until the referee's final whistle.
Filippo Inzaghi, who, with 10 goals in the Champions League is one behind
Paolo Rossi, says that this is the moment he has waited for a whole year,
ever since the final in Amsterdam. He lives this moment like a dream and
wants to wake up in Barcelona.
Referee for the game will be Urs Meier from Switzerland.
