“The funny thing is that I remember the stadium that whistled Del Piero, because it was a very average match. But hey, the guy still puts in a hat-trick, even if it's easier on a set kick, "explained Stéphane Carnot to So Foot in 2015. The former ASM player remembers this meeting between Juventus Turin and AS Monaco disputed in April 1998. It must be said that it was remarkable: a semi-final of the Champions League is something to remember.
"They had enormous talents with Del Piero, Inzaghi and then a Zidane which was in a range still above."
Stéphane Carnot, Monaco playerThis April 1, 1998, the club of the Principality, then led by Jean Tigana and who has just eliminated Manchester United in the quarterfinals, moves on the lawn of Juventus Turin for the semi-final first leg of the C1. We are a few months away from the coronation of France at the World Cup and Fabien Barthez, David Trézéguet and Thierry Henry are going to meet the Old Lady of Zinedine Zidane and Didier Deschamps. Of course, ASM players do not start favorites. As Stéphane Carnot explained: “At that time, Juve was really tough. They had enormous talents with Del Piero, Inzaghi and then a Zidane which was in a range still above, ”he told So Foot . And in this first leg, Del Piero will stand out.
A hat-trick triplet
From the 33rd minute, the Italian striker deceives Fabien Barthez on a sublime coiled direct free kick. The ball goes well over the wall and ends up in the window of the French porter, who nevertheless touches the ball with his fingertips. However, the Monegasques managed to equalize just before the break via Costinha (45 '). But Del Piero will quickly shower Monegasque hopes. In the aftermath the Italian international gives back the advantage to his team by transforming a penalty obtained by his teammate Zinédine Zidane (45th). Barthez can do nothing again. In the second half, Juve obtained a new penalty, this time thanks to Filippo Inzaghi. Del Piero transforms it again: 3-1 for Juve (61st).
Juve go to final but lose to Real
Zinedine Zidane, future Ballon d'Or, seals the score of the meeting in the 88th minute with a beautiful strike on the ground near the surface, on a fine serve from Del Piero. In the return match at home, AS Monaco will rebel and win on the score of 3 goals to 2. Insufficient to see the final of the Champions League. Finally, against Real Madrid, Del Piero's teammates will bow 0-1 after a goal from Mijatovic. However, his hat-trick in the semi-finals has gone down in history.
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