Alessandro Del Piero is celebrating 25 years since his Juventus debut and recalls winning the Champions League in 1996 as his best memory.
Del Piero joined Juve from Padova in 1993 and made his Bianconeri debut on September 12 of that year, coming on for the final 15 minutes against Foggia.
“Kiddo, go on. My advice: keep the ball and draw some fouls,” the former Italy attacker remembered his then-Coach Giovanni Trapattoni as saying in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
Alessandro Del Piero is celebrating 25 years since his Juventus debut and recalls winning the Champions League in 1996 as his best memory.
Del Piero joined Juve from Padova in 1993 and made his Bianconeri debut on September 12 of that year, coming on for the final 15 minutes against Foggia.
“Kiddo, go on. My advice: keep the ball and draw some fouls,” the former Italy attacker remembered his then-Coach Giovanni Trapattoni as saying in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
“That moment was beautiful, the week after was even more so: I came on in Turin against Reggiana and scored.
“Looking back on the Champions League we won in 1996, my mind goes back to a wonderful period of my life, not only that magical night in Rome.
“That was a season of true celebration. It was different to the World Cup, where everything is concentrated in a month and you live in a kind of bubble.
“The Champions League is a long road and that year we went down it, overcoming every obstacle.
“On a personal level it was the year of my confirmation. For the Juventus fans, of whom I was one, it was the year of redemption: we were finally the best team in Europe.”
The 43-year-old then spoke of his ‘honour’ after he was the inspiration for Claudio Marchisio choosing Zenit St Peterburg’s No 10 jersey.
“I know how Marchisio’s feeling, it doesn’t need many words,” he added.
“I saw him grow up and I’d like to see him win again, even if he’s not in our team anymore.
“I’m honoured that he chose the No 10 as a tribute to me. I hope to visit him in St Petersburg.”