How far can he go ?

As long as Alessandro Del Piero keeps netting, Juventus have nothing to be afraid of! The club from Turin took three points from the outing to Bergamo in the last round having beaten Atalanta 3-1, thus cutting the trail behind Inter to six points. And again, old chap Alex was brilliant on the pitch.

Del Piero was the one to open the scoring in 31^st minute and after only seven minutes the Old Lady had two goals in the bag when Nicola Legorttaglie also managed to get his name on the score sheet. Atalanta are a good, respectable side and regardless of the result didn’t want to give up. Their efforts came through in 48^th minute when another oldie, Vieri, tapped the ball behind Maninger. Atalanta continued to push forward in the closing stages of the game but that is exactly when the difference between giants and minnows kicked in! Another important link this season, Amauri, bagged his 11^th goal of the season, after the excellent play in the 82^nd minute, thus putting an end to the exciting game in Bergamo.

Claudio Ranieri has had many problems with injured players this season and many people didn’t believe he is the right man to get the greatest Italian club on the right track. No wonder people have doubted since he is without the half of the team – Buffon, Nedved, Camoranesi, Trezeguet… Still, his team’s performances are proving them wrong and Ranieri has every right to be pleased with his squad. Two youngsters have been particularly impressive in the latest run and those are De Ceglie and Marchisio. The two boys had an excellent role in Milan win replacing Nedved and Camoranesi brilliantly, and it is clear that Ranieri is pretty much right to give these boys a chance to play. It also speaks enough of Juventus’ prospects and guarantees a bright future for Bianconeri.

Positive run of nine wins in ten games is not entirely Ranieri’s contribution though. Real engine in this team is the skipper, already a veteran Alex Del Piero. This season is like a dream for him. He scores, he assists, he runs, he keeps it all tight. I am particularly impressed by his performances in Champions League fixtures. it’s like he has never played Champions League before in his life keeping the smile on his face in each game like a little boy, still enjoying every minute on the pitch. But then, two goals at the crowded Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid and he is the only one smiling! Still Real fans know how to show respect to anyone who deserves it giving Del Piero the standing ovation on his way out of the pitch when he was substituted near the end of the game.

His inspiring performances illuminate, if I didn’t know better, I’d say he was 21, full of strength and will to prove something, but what else is there to prove? As Juventus all-time top scorer and all-time appearance leader there is hardly anything left for him to accomplish but he keeps going on… And that is exactly what some of the youngsters could learn from him. He is the perfect example of how one should love his club and defend the badge on the shirt. Devotion brothers, devotion! The man is a living legend and an endless one too. No wonder Ranieri doesn’t need Diego, he has got the right Trequartista in his team, two would make crowd. Still, at the age of 34, it is a question if his undergoing age would let his performances be on the same level for long. But I think that all of us would agree there will hardly be another one like him…ever…

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