La Prima Volta…Alessandro Del Piero

La Prima Volta… a brand-new series, bringing to life the maiden goals that catalysed the careers of Serie A’s greatest forwards.

Season One: Italian Icons. Episode Three: Alessandro Del Piero.

When Juventus signed 18-year-old Alessandro Del Piero from Serie B Padova, they did so with an eye to the future.

Juventus’ present was already in safe hands in the shape of Fabrizio Ravanelli, Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Baggio and Andreas Möller, a fearsome quartet that offered a wealth of attacking options for the Bianconeri.

By contrast, Del Piero arrived with just a handful of senior appearances and a single goal to his name. Although Juventus had fought off competition from Milan and Fiorentina for his signature, the short-term expectations were modest.

Giovanni Trapattoni‘s master plan was to expose Del Piero to the first team gradually. He was given a few minutes from the bench at Foggia in September 1993, and this sparing introduction was continued a week later when Juventus cruised into a three-goal lead at home to Reggiana.

Warm applause rang around the Stadio delle Alpi as the young prospect, with his boyish mop of hair, entered the fray in place of Ravanelli.

Del Piero had been on the pitch less than one minute when he stunned the Bianconeri faithful with his maiden goal.

It was fitting that the assist came from his former Padova teammate, Angelo Di Livio; his exquisite clipped pass over the shoulder of Del Piero sent the youngster clear. He allowed the ball to bounce before calmly sending his left-footed shot into the corner of the goal.

Del Piero was mobbed by his new teammates, perhaps sensing the significance of this moment. After the game, Del Piero was keeping his feet on the ground, “I have no illusions. I’m here to learn, this is a great day for me, but I consider it only a starting point”.

This early goal changed the script for Del Piero. No longer could Trapattoni hold his talents in abeyance, obliged to accommodate young magician in his starting lineup before the end of the season.

Pinturicchio (the Little Painter) would go on to score 188 goals in Serie A with I Bianconeri – and it all began that sunny Sunday afternoon in Turin.

0:30, Di Livio assist, Del Piero goal

La Prima Volta… Season One will be back every day for six days during the international break – subscribe here to get notifications direct to your inbox. Find previous episodes here: