Juve duo to Don: Pick Alex

Juve duo to Don: Pick Alex
Monday 12 May, 2008

As Roberto Donadoni prepares to pick his squad for Euro 2008, the Juventus camp are crossing their fingers for Alessandro Del Piero.

Del Piero moved joint top of Serie A’s scoring chart with his 19th goal of the campaign against Catania yesterday, but is by no means guaranteed to travel to Austria and Switzerland.

Despite his omission from recent Italy squads, former Juve defender and team manager Pessotto believes Alex should be at Euro 2008.

“Alessandro has had an excellent campaign,” he said on Rai Radio Anch’io Sport.

“Even if it is tough from a tactical point of view to fit him in the national side, he has the charisma, determination and ability to handle the pressure.

“He is a player who offers so many options to a Coach and I hope that he won’t be coming on tour with us to Asia because he is with the Azzurri.”

And tactician Claudio Ranieri is also fighting Pinturricchio’s corner, as he feels that he is indispensable.

“I think that Del Piero has convinced Donadoni,” the Old Lady Coach told the Guerin Sportivo.

“Alessandro hadn’t done well against France, but who would have under those circumstances?

“At the start of the season, even I didn’t use him that much and he complained like the others on the bench.

“But the difference is that he never gave up, unlike lots of others, Champions don’t give in.

“Del Piero has enormous character and is a professional like few others in the world.”

* channel4