Alessandro Del Piero's Top 10 Goals for Juventus

There is little doubting the fact that Alessandro Del Piero remains a beloved figure for Juventus supporters. As the retired captain celebrated his birthday this week, the club’s fans sent him messages from across the globe and social media platforms flooded with congratulations.

As discussed in this previous post, the iconic No. 10 sits above the lengthy list of legends to have pulled on those famous black and white stripes, his contribution in helping the Old Lady ensures he will never be forgotten.

Del Piero also scored more goals for Juventus than any other player in history, hitting the back of the net on no fewer than 289 in all competitions over his distinguished career. He scored all types of goals, and perhaps more than the volume of his final tally, it is the variety that most makes your jaw drop.  

In order to continue those birthday celebrations a while longer, what follows is a look at 10 of his very best strikes. They are ranked only in chronological order, but they are the best from Del Piero’s substantial collection. Sit back, relax and enjoy them, remembering just how deadly “Ale” was in front of goal.

1. Juventus vs. Fiorentina (Serie A, December 1994)

While Del Piero was a well-known talent across Italy, his first year with Juventus saw him remain under the radar of the wider footballing world, but that would change in December 1994, with the Bianconeri trailing 0-2 at home against bitter rivals Fiorentina.

Skipper Gianluca Vialli would get his team back on level terms, setting the stage for his young team-mate to steal the show. Left-back Alessandro Orlando spotted a run from Del Piero, picking him out with a superb long ball from near the halfway line.

Watching it drop over his shoulder, he fired a wonderfully timed volley with the outside of his boot, and goalkeeper Francesco Toldo was utterly powerless to stop it.

2. Borussia Dortmund vs. Juventus (Champions League, September 1995)

Played in down the left channel, Del Piero cut inside his marker and moved towards the edge of the box. A little hesitation and a step back away from goal, he then fired an amazing shot into the far top corner, once again leaving the goalkeeper merely a spectator.

3. Juventus vs. Steaua Bucharest (Champions League, September 1995)

After receiving another long ball from deep inside Juve’s half of the field, Del Piero killed the pass with a stunning first touch. He then faced up his marker at the edge of the box, faking a shot before cutting inside and steering an astonishing effort around the ‘keeper into the top corner.

It was the second of three goals in a 3-0 group-stage victory at the old Stadio delle Alpi, with the Bianconeri eventually going on to lift the trophy after a penalty shootout victory over Dutch giants Ajax.

4. Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund (UEFA Champions League final, May 1997)

Having won the Champions League 12 months earlier, Juventus returned to the final in 1997 but were swept aside by a rampant Borussia Dortmund side who jumped out to a two-goal lead.

As Alen Boksic burst beyond former Juve defender Jurgen Kohler and fired a low cross into the box, Del Piero cut towards the near post. The pass went somewhat behind him, prompting an incredible backheel with his left foot, a finish that can only be properly appreciated in the subsequent replays.

5. Bari vs. Juventus (Serie A, February 2001)

Just days after his father’s funeral, Del Piero joined his team-mates for a tough away trip to Bari. The southern side held the Bianconeri scoreless as time ticked on, prompting then-coach Carlo Ancelotti to send on his No. 10 as a late substitute in hope of snatching all three points.

Del Piero understandably looked like a shell of himself in his first few minutes on the field, miscontrolling the ball and misplacing passes. Yet with time running out, he came to life, running at the Bari defence and completely befuddling his marker before lifting a superb left-footed shot over Jean-Francois Gillet.

His emotional celebration was visceral and captivating, with close friends Gianluca Pessotto and Alessio Tacchinardi sharing his relief and congratulating him.

6. Juventus vs. Piacenza, Serie A, January 26, 2003

Something of a combination between the aforementioned goals against Borussia Dortmund and Fiorentina, this is a simply sensational goal. Gianluca Zambrotta is the man firing the ball forward this time, but Del Piero’s perfectly timed leap and heel-flick are utterly outrageous.

7. Juventus vs. Fiorentina (Coppa Italia, January 2006)

When you pull level with a club record, is there any better way to break it than with a hat-trick? Del Piero came into this Coppa Italia match level with iconic former skipper Giampiero Boniperti on 182 career goals for Juventus in all competitions, going on to to take the honour in emphatic fashion.

The landmark strike came when Del Piero received a pass in the box from Adrian Mutu, gliding his way past a defender before slotting it between two others and beyond Viola goalkeeper Sebastien Frey.

After watching the goal, let the clip run on to catch another of his goals, as the perfectly struck free-kick certainly deserves your attention.

8. Juventus vs. Real Madrid (Champions League, October 2008)

Back in the Champions League for the first time after the Calciopoli scandal, the group stage saw the Bianconeri pitted against Real Madrid. They would win both home and away against the Spanish giants, with Del Piero earning a standing ovation for his wonderful display at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Yet he scored a fantastic goal in Turin, too, exchanging passes with Amauri before firing a vicious shot that completely baffled goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Beautiful.

9. Juventus vs. AS Roma (Serie A, November 2008)

Del Piero has scored some incredible free-kicks, but this one against AS Roma sticks in the memory for its amazing range, curl and power. From about 30 yards out, he struck a stunning shot beyond the outstretched fingers of Doni and into the net, putting Juve on their way to an eventual 2-0 win.

10. Juventus vs. AS Roma (Coppa Italia, January 2012)

With Juventus in the midst of an undefeated campaign in Antonio Conte’s first season as coach, perhaps the marginalisation of Del Piero was the one blight on the resurgence of the club.

Clearly in a reduced role under his former team-mate, Del Piero stepped up in the Coppa Italia to help power Juve to the final. In their quarter-final clash with AS Roma, he collected a pass and attempted to pick out Marco Borriello, only for Rodrigo Taddei to block the ball back to the No.10.

Ale responded with a magnificent shot low and into the net, lifting the Bianconeri to a 2-0 victory.