Del Piero sends bosses a reminder
Updated: 2007-12-17 09:14
ROME - Veteran forward Alessandro Del Piero sent out a reminder to Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri and Italy coach Roberto Donadoni with a match-winning performance in Rome against Lazio.
 Juventus' Alessandro Del Piero scores during the Italian Serie A top league soccer match between Lazio and Juventus at Rome's Olympic stadium, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. [Agencies] |
The 33-year-old scored two clinical second-half goals in Juve's 3-2 win at the Stadio Olympico to illustrate to club and country that he still has plenty to offer.
But he proved his value twice against Lazio, springing the offside trap and taking one perfect touch before rifling home crisp finishes past exposed goalkeeper Marco Ballotta.
But having found himself substituted or a substitute in 10 of his 15 league appearances so far this season, Del Piero was more happy just to get through an entire 90 minutes.
"An evening like this means so much when you have to play 90 minutes and you manage to do it when asked. Afterwards I was doubly happy because we had not won away in ages and because I scored," said an elated Del Piero.
Del Piero was only playing because Iaquinta was out injured, but he proved that despite his aging legs, he has lost none of his ability.
Ranieri paid tribute to his veteran forward and suggested he may be thinking of using him more often.
"Last time out he played really well. You can see he's playing well and when he sets off, you can't catch him," Ranieri said, referring to Del Piero's two goals.
"I want to repeat my thanks to Alex (Del Piero) and (Gianluigi) Buffon who won us three important points. Alex is in great form at the moment."
Buffon was arguably even more crucial in securing the victory, making a string of fine stops to keep a rampant Lazio at bay, but one save midway through the second half was particularly special.
He made a point-blank one-handed stop to deny Tomasso Rocchi what would then have been an equalizer for 2-2. Moments later Del Piero scampered away to snatch what turned out to be the winner.
That ensured Juve finished the day in second place, just five points behind leader Inter Milan.
Even so, Del Piero is not getting carried away.
"We're more interested in guarding against those behind us than trying to catch those in front," he said.
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