Playre Talk : Alex

Alex demands Juve push
Friday 18 January, 2008

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero warns his side against losing momentum and discusses his Azzurri future.

The Cadetti champions had a magnificent 2007 and have climbed into third place, but a draw with Catania in the first game since the break saw them lose further ground on the leading pair.

Sampdoria are the next opponents at the Stadio Olimpico and they arrive on good form after thrashing Palermo 3-0 in the League and Cagliari 4-0 in the Cup.

“It’s an important time for us,” Del Piero told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We are in a good League position, but if we are to make an excellent season into a stupendous one we must give more.

“We have all worked so hard up to now, even if some people have given more than others. We can’t lose our intensity, as this can be an exceptional year.”

Despite the positive mood at the club, some members of the Juve squad, such as Tiago Mendes, have been struggling and Del Piero suggested that they might be running out of time.

“Maybe some players have given more than others,” Alex continued. “Some players have had some difficulty settling in this year, but nobody has been lacking in training and I don’t want to point fingers at anybody.

“Us older heads in the group have never stopped taking responsibility. It’s a positive thing to be able to set a good example.

“Compared to our rivals we have changed a lot since last year, but we have kept our pride, determination and will to win.”

It is clearly evident that Inter are the side to beat in Serie A, but Del Piero is looking forward to facing them in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

“Inter are stronger than the other sides in Italy,” he admitted. “They have a deep squad and they have consolidated the players that they have.

“The chance to face them in the Coppa Italia was a big stimulus to beat Empoli and now we want to give our all.”

Italy boss Roberto Donadoni has indicated that he will certainly consider picking Pinturricchio for his Euro 2008 squad, but the Juve talisman is letting his performances do the talking.

“Donadoni has total autonomy and freedom to make his own choices,” he stressed.

“I will just keep trying hard to show that I am in good form and hope that I win an Azzurri shirt. Would I go to the Olympics in China? There’s a long time to think about that yet.

“Four years ago people thought I was finished and that I didn’t have 90 minutes in my legs any longer. Now things are going well I like to think about all the people who had faith in me. There has been a steady improvement in my physical condition and I want to keep it up.”

Del Piero finished with a comment on Champions League qualification rivals Milan and their new ace Alexandre Pato.

“Pato played well against Napoli, as did Ronaldo,” he declared. “But we also have an excellent attack and we are all at our best.

“Milan have so many great players and the race is on for the top four. I wish them all the best as long as we finish above them.”

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