Del Piero ready to paint Portugal in Azzurri blue

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2004

ROME (AFP) — Alessandro Del Piero's artistic touch has deserted him in the last three tournaments, but the misfiring Italy striker hopes to make amends by helping the Azzurri paint Portugal blue at Euro 2004.

The 30-year-old forward known as 'Il Pinturicchio' (The little artist) scored just once at the World Cup in Japan and South Korea two years ago and once at Euro 2000, while he failed to find the net at all at France 1998.

"I'm ready and in good shape and for me it will be different from the previous Worlds Cups and the last European championships," said Del Piero, whose season with Juventus, his 11th, was heavily disrupted by injury problems.

"I've had some difficulties in the past, but I feel it's time to put things right.

"I'm fit and am close...