DEL PIERO REVEALS HURT AT CRITICISM

Yes, I thought about leaving Juventus and Italian football," confessed Del Piero. "When they went too far with the criticism but the anger passes."

Juventus suffered a disastrous start to the season that saw them crash out of the Coppa Italia and Champions League as well as fall behind the leaders in Serie A.

In recent weeks though Juve have turned their season around and yesterdays 4-1 win at Lecce confirmed their status as chief challengers to league leaders AS Roma.

And this recent run of form has in no small part coincided with Del Piero's return to form.

The 26 year old remains a pale shadow of the player he was before the knee injury that threatened his career but now he appears to be on his way back.

Unfortunately Del Piero finds himself sidelined with injury again and will be out until mid-January.

When he returns he will find himself in direct competition for the Scudetto with player that has taken his place in national team, Roma's Francesco Totti.

Totti's form for Italy in Euro 2000 restricted Del Piero's participation in the tournament but when the Juve striker returned home he came under severe criticism for failing to take a couple of chances in the final that could have won Italy the trophy.

The disheartenment felt by Del Piero was reflected in his on field demeanour at the start of the current campaign but a goal and a little praise has lifted his spirit and got him looking forward to a rosier future with the bianconeri.

"I believe I still have an important role to play for Juventus and when things are going well there is no need to leave," added Del Piero.