Del Piero: Juventus Must Be a Team This Season

Juventus are spending part of their preseason in Australia, and they brought a bit of Turin royalty along. Alessandro Del Piero is traveling with the squad in his role as an unofficial club ambassador, and he used the trip to talk through what the Bianconeri need to show when the real business starts. Del Piero said the visits to Australia always feel special, partly because of the welcome he received during his playing career. "It was not easy at first, but then we adapted, partly thanks to the large Italian community that helped us settle in. The food, the weather, the places - all of it was really wonderful," he said. He sees more stability around Juventus this time. Compared to last year, there is continuity in the squad and on the coaching staff, and Del Piero believes that can help the group bond before a new chapter begins. New faces bring excitement, he admitted, but knowing each other is a valuable asset. The summer, though, is never easy for players. "With so many trips, you cannot train at the best level, optimizing your workload physically and tactically. My biggest hope is that Juventus behave like a team throughout the season," Del Piero explained. He also had words of praise for Kenan Yildiz. The player has only recently returned, but Del Piero says he already looks sharp. "I have never seen Yildiz tired. Today he is a star of the club, on and off the pitch," he said. Del Piero added that he saw a lot of enthusiasm in the squad despite the constant travel and time-zone changes. On the transfer front, Del Piero welcomed the return of Kolo Muani, noting that the forward had already shown what he can do at Juventus. He was even more excited about the investment in Alajbegovic, a young talent he believes can develop into a player of global standing. "We have got used to having young talents taken away from us all the time. It's great that such a highly rated player chose the Italian league for his development. Let's not put too much pressure on him. Give him time to grow and adapt. I am sure Spalletti will know how to work with him," Del Piero said. Del Piero also made it clear that last season was not enough, even if Juventus produced some strong performances. "Spalletti does not need my trust, or anyone else's. He has a very impressive résumé. The players are happy to start the season with this coach, so the prospects look good," he added. He spoke about the club's ambition to build a winning cycle and create a team that knows how to win. The competition will be fierce, he warned, and the campaign will be tough. Still, Del Piero is convinced Juventus will go for it in the Europa League, a competition he called a prestigious showcase. As for his own future, Del Piero did not close any doors. "Only God knows what will happen to us tomorrow. For now, I like the role the club has given me. As a legend, I am in close contact with people. My bond with Juventus and its colors goes way beyond the job," he said. Juventus, meanwhile, could also strengthen their goalkeeping department with a star Ukrainian goalkeeper.