Del Piero wants to close Heysel book

Updated: 2005-04-05 08:52

Juventus forward Alessandro Del Piero wants to use his side's Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool to "close a chapter on a bad memory."

Juventus' forward Alessandro Del Piero celebrates after scoring a goal against Reggina during their Italian series A soccer match. Juve won 1-0.[AFP]

The two clubs meet on Tuesday for the first time in a competitive match since 39 supporters died at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels before the 1985 European Cup final.

"On that day I was at a friend's house with my family in order to watch the match," Del Piero told reporters on Monday.

"When it began to unfold my father sent the children out to play football. He understood from what was happening that it wasn't going to be a nice spectacle.

'Now with this game I hope it means for everyone we can close the chapter on this bad memory.

"I hope we can play with the right spirit and I hope everyone involved in the occasion displays the true football spirit"

"It will be very difficult to play if we think of the memories as well as the Pope's recent death."

"It will be less difficult, though, if we concentrate on football after we have thought about the past and present emotions."

Juventus coach Fabio Capello has warned his players not to be distracted by the atmosphere at Anfield.

"We must remember the events of 20 years ago but at the same time we must remember it's an important competition," Capello said.

"It is a very sad memory we have but we have the chance to make things better now."

Capello backed the decision not to play Serie A matches last weekend because of the Pope's death, even though it means his side have not played since beating Reggina on March 19.

"It might have worried me that without a game for so long the players could lose continuity and concentration," he added. "But in a match like this I do not think that will be a consideration."

Capello warned his side against complacency.

"When their manager Rafael Benitez came to the club the players did not understand how he wanted things done," Capello said.

"But now they have started to play how he wants them to play, they have started to look good."

"He has also been missing lots of players and could not follow Chelsea, who are having a good time in the league."

'But they have reached a good point in the Champions League and have got better and better.'

Juventus forward David Trezeguet travelled to England with the squad despite concerns over his fitness.

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