Del Piero on replacing Baggio, Zidane ‘chemistry’ and possible Juventus return | OneFootball

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero says he’d ‘never ruin’ his relationship with the Bianconeri even if he never returns to the club and reveals his thoughts when he had to replace Roberto Baggio in Turin in 1995.

Juventus and Italy legend Del Piero released an extended interview with Sky Sport Italia, where he discussed his career with the Bianconeri.

The former striker spent 19 years in Turin, becoming the club’s best scorer and player with the most appearances.

He left Juventus at the end of his contract in 2012 after contributing to their first Scudetto victory in the post-Calciopoli era.

Juventus refused to extend Del Piero’s contract even if the ex-striker had claimed he’d sign a new deal with the Old Lady without knowing his salary.

“I made that decision after some difficult months,” he recalled.

Del Piero on replacing Baggio, Zidane ‘chemistry’ and possible Juventus return

I33 – 20010414 – TURIN, ITALY : French International midfielder of Juventus Zinedine Zidane (r) hits the ball while Inter Milan Jugoslavian Internation midfielder Vladimir Jugovic looks on during their Serie A soccer match at ”Delle Alpi” Stadium in Turin tonight Saturday 14 April 2001.EPA PHOTO LAPRESSE/FALZONE

“There were many rumours about my extension, especially related to my salary. I always highlighted that it was not an issue. Perhaps that was made to put me in a bad light. My desire was to leave with a winning Juventus, like when I arrived in 1993. My idea was to win again.”

Del Piero was among the stars who remained at Juventus in 2006 despite the club’s relegation to Serie B as a consequence of the Calciopoli scandal.

“It was also a dramatic moment because of how people looked at us and what they thought about us,” he said.

“There was a lot of hate toward us, but I played with extraordinary teammates in Serie B.”

Del Piero took a central role at Juventus in 1995 when he permanently replaced Baggio, who had joined Milan.

“My instinct was more advanced than my mind. In my head, I thought about not giving up and my responsibility to replace Baggio,” said the ex-striker.

“I had spent two years with him. I was just 18, I was shy, and he was a Ballon d’Or winner. His Juventus farewell was painful. I should have left on loan; there were rumours about Parma, but in the end, I stayed, and I started in a defeat against Foggia in a three-man attack. We had to sacrifice a lot with that system; we were not accustomed to it, but we had to raise the intensity and we knew we could win.”

The 2006 Italy World Cup winner shared the Juventus dressing room with many legends, including Zizou Zidane.

“What I enjoyed the most was the never-seen chemistry,” Del Piero noted.

“He became Zidane at Juventus even if, to some extent, he proved more in Madrid because he won the Champions League. He developed in many aspects in Turin. We all loved him because of the person he was.”

Regarding a possible return to Juventus as a club director, Del Piero said: “I believe one or more people who have contributed to the club’s history must cover certain roles.

“However, my bond with Juventus and everyone who shared moments with me remains beautiful, and I’ll never ruin it even if I never cover a role in the club.”