September 12th 1993: Alex Del Piero began his career with Juventus exactly 25 years ago, playing the first of his 705 matches as a bianconero. The beginning of a fantastic career that made him win everything with this shirt and the World Cup with Italy in 2006. 10 years before that, he became an European champion with Juventus:
"The 1996 season was very exciting, it's different from the World Cup where everything happens in a month and you live in some kind of a bubble - has he told La Gazzetta dello Sport- The Champions League is a long journey and that year, we made it destroying every obstacle on the way. Personally it's been the year I affirmed myself. For the juventino fans, which I was part of and I still am, it finally was the year we were the best in Europe. Could Juve repeat it this year? I still see Real Madrid as the favorite, even after losing Ronaldo. After them, Juve, City and PSG. Then, Barcelona, Bayern and Liverpool.
Juve plays to win, there are no half measures. Roma ains high because they've shown they have the right mentality to become some kind of Italian Liverpool, a team that could perform great matches in Europe. Napoli and Inter have to show what they're made of: we'll see at what level they can play. I hope all the Italian teams get to the next round, but if one team should go in Europa League, I really hope they'd play it with the right mentality".
Del Piero then talks about the great champions that will face each other in Europe: "Messi and Ronaldo will bring so much, especially in Champions League. I'm really curious about watching Mbappé. I think that everyone is forgetting about Dybala too fast though. The coaches? I can't see the playing system as an end, it's a tool. Generally, I love coaches that know how to change things, that can invent something that becomes important in a season (Casemiro's position at Real, Allegri's Juve with four forwards for example). Even Guardiola could change his playing style. For that aspect too, the Champions League will be exciting".
About a hypothetical Juve-PSG with Buffon on the pitch: "When I left Juventus, I had the possibility to play for Celtic Glasgow. I refused this one and other offers because I already made my mind about leaving Europe. That year Juve and Celtic faced each other in the eights of final. I thought "not that bad I didn't go". So if it happens for Gigi, it will be his business! Jokes aside, I'll follow him with affection but I'd support against him in Juve-PSG...".
About Ronaldo to Juve: "Ideal partner? When the team will have a better solidity, I think Allegri will dare a more reckless team, like two seasons ago. I still believe a play like Dybala only can become fondamental".
