Kochi: What matters more, game or birthday? Ask that to Alessandro Del Piero and he is quite clear that it is the game. But birthday bashes for Italians are no child’s play. No wonder there are two kinds of preparations in progress in the Kochi camp of Delhi Dynamos FC, who have arrived to take on Kerala Blasters in their second home duel. Defeat Blasters on Sunday and then celebrate Del Piero’s birthday till the next dawn. Del Piero, affectionately called Ale, was born on November 9, 1974.
Del Piero’s motto in life is the words of boxing legend Muhammed Ali, “Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream and a vision”.
The match has to be won for the birthday bash to begin. Del Piero believes such a desire would take root in each of the Dynamos team members.
The team landed in Kochi with the burden of back to back losses. Here too Del Piero was the centre of attraction. The surprise at discovering Juventus fans in Kochi coupled with the urge to get the team back to winning ways showed in his face. It was this Italian star who cast the spell in the camp that nothing short of victory needs to be ruminated on.
Even as the memories that November 9 ushers in will be of sweet birthday, today (November 8) presents rather painful memories for Del Piero. On November 8, 1998, on the eve of his 24th birthday, Juventus were facing Udinese Club in the Udine City ground in north east Italy. Del Piero gave the chase to the ball which was racing to the opposition goal line. This was the closing stages of the game. Juventus had almost sealed their win.
Even if he had sprinted and locked the ball in his feet, he could not have scored. Still Del Piero ran will full force. One of the opponents physically blocked him. Del Piero fell down. His left knee was broken.
Surgery in the US, months-long treatment and boring convalescence followed. Udinese drew that game with a last-minute goal. With that Fiorentina drew level with Juventus in the points tally. Juventus without Del Piero lost in the Champions League final. From that point on, Del Piero is of the opinion that it is weird thinking what all can happen to a player and how all can a winning team slip into the pits of defeat.