Two-goal Del Piero delivers Euro 2008 reminder


Written by: AFP Bookmark and Share
2008-05-17 19:18:59

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A football match against Sampdoria at Genova Luigi Ferraris Stadium. Del Piero scored twice to help Juventus complete their Serie A season with a 3-3 draw against Sampdoria and deliver a timely Euro 2008 reminder to national team coach Roberto Donadoni.
  Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A football match against Sampdoria at Genova Luigi Ferraris Stadium. Del Piero scored twice to help Juventus complete their Serie A season with a 3-3 draw against Sampdoria and deliver a timely Euro 2008 reminder to national team coach Roberto Donadoni.
ROME (AFP) - Alessandro Del Piero scored twice to help Juventus complete their Serie A season with a 3-3 draw against Sampdoria and deliver a timely Euro 2008 reminder to national team coach Roberto Donadoni.

The veteran attacker, who has been consistently overlooked by the world champions, also took his league goal tally to 21 to make him the top scorer in Serie A this season.

Only Genoa striker Marco Borriello, who has 19 goals, can depose him from the top scorers chart when he takes the field against Atalanta on Sunday.

Juve were already assured of finishing third in the table and will play in the final Champions League qualifying round next season, just a year after winning promotion from Serie B to where they had been demoted as punishment for the match-fixing scandal of 2006.

After the match, Del Piero admitted he hadn't heard from Donadoni with the Euro 2008 squad announcement due to take place on Tuesday.

"There is a question mark over the matter, but still no news to report," he said.

"I am still waiting."

The 33-year-old Del Piero, who was also the league's top scorer in 1997/1998 with 21 goals, gave Juventus the lead after just seven minutes with French striker David Trezeguet adding a second, from the penalty spot, in the 16th minute.

Trezeguet took his tally to 20 goals for the season.

Antonio Cassano, on 22 minutes, and Christian Maggio, in the 39th minute, brought Sampdoria level at 2-2.

Del Piero restored Juve's lead with a 65th-minute penalty before Vincent Montella rescued a point for Sampdoria, who will finish sixth and play in the UEFA Cup next season, 10 minutes from time.

The Italian title will be decided on Sunday when Inter Milan face Parma while AS Roma go to Catania.

Defending champions Inter have a one-point lead over Roma.




Discuss

Giorgio May 17th, 2008 19:36

Antonio Cassano also scored and Donadoni will hopefully pick him, instead of Del Piero.

BesTalentScout May 18th, 2008 05:54

Giorgio.........

give the old fart a chance..........LOL..........

i rather see the old one than the problem child...............

notinourhouse May 18th, 2008 07:45

I agree Cassano is a cancer look what he did at Real Madrid with Capello. Not picking Del Piero would be a bad decision. Since when is 33 yrs old an old fart ?

Giorgio May 18th, 2008 09:12

BesTalentScount, the problem is that Del Piero has never really done anything outstanding, in the Italian national team, at any World Cup or Euro Championships.

Cassano does have his crazy moments, but he is undoubtedly one of the greatest soccer talents in the world do-day.

My vote goes to: (1) Cassano (2) Inzaghi (3) Del Piero.

ajax72 May 18th, 2008 14:31

Cassano is mentaly unstable and for that matter unpredictable which cancels all his athletic virtues which he undoubtedly has. Inzaghi is the only high profile player capable of missing 7-8 out of 10 goal opportunities in the 6 yards box. So this leaves us with Del Piero. Hope Donadoni visits this site. LOL.

BesTalentScout May 19th, 2008 17:01

Inzaghi has always been crap............