Serie A

Vintage Del Piero ignites memories for Juventus in San Siro classic

By Ravin Sampat ⋅ March 25, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Juventus back to the good old days as Del Piero demonstrates class is permanent

Normally, the Derby d’Italia (played out by Juventus and Internazionale) is usually not only a grudge match but a game whereby the winning team gets the bragging rights for the rest of the Scudetto season. Over the years, Juventus have normally had the edge in these games, with last minute draws or convincing victories at the expense of the Nerazurri. Of course, things have changed since the Roberto Mancini revolution at Inter, and it is now the Milan giants that seem to dominate the Scudetto.

The Derby is part of Italian football folklore. Two of the most successful teams in Italy, head to head, with not only bragging rights at stake for Italy’s best footballing city (Turin or Milan) but a classification of Italy’s greatest team.

there are no questions as to who is superior out of the two teams. Inter are Champions, have led Serie A admirably this season, and are widely recognised as one of the best attacking teams in Europe. In Roberto Mancini they have one of the best up and coming managers. the parralels with Juventus are evident.

The Bianconeri are a wounded animal, or sleeping giant if you like. Most Juve fans would have realised that since the Calciopoli scandal, Juventus have gone back a few levels. The departure of Didier Deschamps regardless of his effort in bringing Juve back into Serie A, coupled by the loss of key players since Calciopoli have all in all set the Bianconeri back at least 3 years in footballing terms.

No one expected much from Juventus this season, despite the £40 million or so spent on transfers. If anything, 2007/2008 was a transformation season, building bridges for Juve and other Serie A clubs whilst establishing Juve as a new, reenergised, friendlier giant of Italian football. But be this the case, on Saturday the Guisseppe Meazza filled up with 80,000 fans witnessing a shock, but more importantly, a rebirth of the Juventus team that once dominated the Italian game.

From start to finish, Juventus outplayed and outperformed Inter on every aspect of the game. Nicola Legrottaglie was defiant in defence, Mauro Camoranesi was magestic in midfield, whilst David Trezeguet was audacious in attack. Juventus typified much what coach Claudio Ranieri’s team has characterised this season: teamwork.

However, the plaudits must be given to one man, who despite all his critics, played not only a classic game as the trequartista (second striker) but captained this under-rated Juventus team to a 2-1 victory at the expense of Inter.

Alessandro Del Piero has for many been a closely scrutinized captain in recent years. Under Marcelo Lippi, Del Piero was given his chance to shine at the age of 20 with the likes of Gianluca Vialli, Fabrizio Ravanelli and his mentor, Roberto Baggio at the club. Almost 13 years on, Del Piero still espouses the class he inherited from those around him and that within him, as he single handedly destroyed the Inter defence. Right from the kick off, Del Piero troubled his marker Materazzi and partner Burdisso as he went into deep positions and provided width for Camoronesi to penetrate through the middle, causing confusion and despair amongst Inter’s normally able defenders. Some would say that Inter did not turn up, but put it this way: Juventus were too good, too organised, and Del Piero was just being, well, Del Piero.

His free kick in the 6th minute, followed by a fine volley that made Julio Cesar perform a one handed save from six yards typified the technique and class that is Alessandro Del Piero. As the match wore on, Inter created chances, but Momo Sissoko’s ability to control the midfield troubled Inter who, despite being at home, found it hard to dictate the pace to their own game.

Inter will no doubt feel aggrieved that Camoronesi’s goal was offside, but this is no excuse for a team who has the ability to threaten from anywhere on the pitch. As usual, Javier Zanetti was Inter’s most admirable player, and one point during the first half he managed to get out of his own corner, out muscle Pavel Nedved, and then run for 50 yards to the Juventus half and create a chance for Julio Cruz, who fluffed his pass.

Juventus doubled their lead and it came from the geniusthat is Alex Del Piero. A cute little chip with his back to goal went over Materazzi and Burdisso which allowed Trezeguet to volley past Julio Cesar. Watching that mouthwatering audacity from Del Piero rolled back the old days when he was a quite simply one of the world’s best.

Despite Inter’s late flurry and Maniche’s tap-in, Juventus could have easily won this match 5-1, with beautiful individual skill from Del Piero on numerous occassions. Materazzi looked stupid, confused and out of touch, and you can just imagine Zinedine Zidane sitting somewhere in joy watching his old teammate outclassing his arch nemesis.

Juventus of course needed this season to finish in a respectable position and gain a European spot. They are on the course to that achievement. But more importantly, Juventus have something back which they missed; Respect. Much of this new found respect must go to Ranieri, who has achieved wonders under pressure. No-one really expected much of Juventus but this has worked wonderfully for the Turin giants. Hopefully this project will continue, and before you know it, Juventus will be amongst the top teams in Serie A again.

With Euro 2008 coming thick and fast, despite his performance, Del Piero must be disappointed that coach Roberto Donadoni dropped him again for the midweek game with Spain. But Del Piero has more to offer to Juve than he does for Italy. Saturday’s win and performance at the San Siro signalled a new era for Juventus, and step into the past for Juve’s magestic number 10. The future’s bright for Juventus, and much of that is down to Del Piero.

For Del Piero, form may be temporary, but class is permanent.

Arrivaderci

Congratulations to Alessandro Del Piero who equalled Gaetano Scirea’s club record of 552 official appearances for Juventus.
360 in Serie A; 35 in Serie B; 45 the Coppa Italia; six in Italian Super Cup ties; 106 in international competitions.

His debut was on September 12, 1993, in a 1-1 Serie A game at Foggia.

Tags: Juventus, Serie A

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