Del Piero - one of the greats of our time

[Guest Red Mist]

Del Piero of Juventus has been one of the best players in European football in the last decade. I can name but a handful who have been better. At his pomp he was everything Ronaldinho is today, but because he doesn't have a goofy grin, silly hair and a Brazillian name, he's not even mentioned in the same bracket. Also he's been poorly used by Italy so doesn't get much international recognition, which is important.

 

He's suffered a lot of injuries in recent years but still managed to break the Juve goal scoring record, even though he isn't really a striker. For me he's been the best Italian footballer since Roberto Baggio.

 

Check how brilliant the guy is/was. It's a big comp (for broadband users only) but it focuses on just his skill, which needless to say is breathtaking.

 

http://www.juventusmania.net/lpe427/magica_ale.mpg

[R A Softlad]

See Carra take him out for showboating?

[quibs]

Big fan of Del Pierro, but always got stage fright and never produced for Italy at all!!

 

Never the less still a great player who has never proved it on the world stage...

[Benzo-13]

He's a legend..

 

The guy before his big injury was a class above.

There never was a defined role for him in the Italy team cos of Baggio, Zola and Totti.

[Hightown Phil]

His goal tonight was sublime. Left foot drive about 3 minutes into injury time. Superb finish.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

superb player. His close control is the best in the world.

[R A Softlad]

Scored more goals than anyone since the Champions League started.

[Guest TanMan]

Scored more goals than anyone since the Champions League started.

 

I thought he was behind v.Nistelrooy, Shevchenko and Raul

[AE]

I thought he was behind v.Nistelrooy, Shevchenko and Raul

 

 

I think Softlad is talking about after the Arsenal games

[Guest Anders Honoré]

also alltime topscorer for juventus.

[Mike]

he was s**** for years between his first good spell and his run of form over the last two seasons.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

he was also injured for years.

 

A lot of similarities between him and fowler. both the most talented strikers of their generation in their respective leagues, both injury ravaged, though del piero has probably made more of his talent at the end of the day.

 

Imagine the two of them together at their peak though. A forward with brilliant vision who could find the net as good as any striker and a natural born striker who could play quite a bit as well. Would have been a match made in heaven.

[Mike]

from about 2000 - 2004 he was rubbish. total rubbish.

[slapnuts]

from about 2000 - 2004 he was rubbish. total rubbish.

 

you tell him pele

[Guest 70400]

Class player.

[matty]

Complete a*******. Typical player who did something flashy and then lived off it for a couple of months before doing something flashy again.

 

Couldn't hold a candle to Baggio was great in Serie A week in, week out.

 

Couldn't even get in Juve's team for a long time....flat track bully.

[PhilM]

s*** hot in about 1998.

[Leo No.8]

Brilliant as a kid - went schit, had some serious injuries and has come back still scoring goals if not the player he was.

 

His career reminds me a bit of Fowlers to be honest, although Robbie has yet to get as near to his former level...

Edited March 20, 2006 by Leo No.8

[sean]

Under-achiever if ever there was one. Brilliant player, but never realised his massive potential, save for a few instances. Not nearly consistent enough and hasn't influenced the game as he should have.

[Guest Jude]

A great player in his early days but just like our own Robbie bad injuries took their toll,can still knock them into the onion bag like our Robbie but maybe not as often as in years gone by.

[Mike]

you tell him pele

[Guest 70400]

Complete a*******. Typical player who did something flashy and then lived off it for a couple of months before doing something flashy again.

 

Couldn't hold a candle to Baggio was great in Serie A week in, week out.

 

Couldn't even get in Juve's team for a long time....flat track bully.

 

 

Baggio was great in Serie A week in week out?

 

I thought he was the most inconsistent player ever if there was one.

[Nerik]

Del Piero was a fantastic talent from 1995-1998. His major problem was that he'd never show up for the Champs Lge final but he did excel in the Serie A. Following his knee injury in 1998 he struggled to regain that form. In fact he never has. To make matters worse his father's death affected him badly too and he kept on struggling with niggles. He also always struggles to perform for Italy in the major tournament.

 

Even as recently as a few months ago he was in and out of the Juventus team. He is still a very talented player, can score great goals and can win many games with his brilliance. However he is nothing near what Baggio was in his peak. The injury makes the comparison unfair...........

Edited March 23, 2006 by Nerik

[matty]

Baggio was great in Serie A week in week out?

 

I thought he was the most inconsistent player ever if there was one.

 

And you'd be wrong.