Del Piero deserves Italy call-up, says Buffon

Alessandro Del Piero's Juventus team-mate Gianluigi Buffon on Monday called on Italy coach Roberto Donadoni to restore the veteran striker to the national team set-up.

Del Piero starred in Juve's 4-0 demolition of Atalanta on Sunday, scoring a hat-trick and setting up the other goal.

He has scored 17 times in Serie A this season, already his second-best total ever with still four matches remaining.

And goalkeeper Buffon, Italy's number one, added his voice to the growing clamour for the Juve club captain to be welcomed back into the international fold.

“A Del Piero like the one we have seen recently deserves to be called up for the European Championships without a shadow of doubt,” Buffon told Rai.

“It's also true to say that Donadoni has not completely closed the door on him. He's always said the door is open to everyone.

“No-one knows better than Donadoni how to do what is right.”

There is little time left for players outside of Donadoni's recent squads, such as Del Piero, to earn a place in the party that will travel to Austria and Switzerland in June for Euro 2008.

But Buffon has been highly impressed with Del Piero's form this season. The veteran began the campaign on the bench with Vincenzo Iaquinta starting alongside France forward David Trezeguet.

But he forced his way back into the side and has been irreplacable ever since.

“He's doing something incredible because he's a champion who works really hard and applies himself in the right way and he never loses his motivation,” added Buffon.

“That's very important to always keep up a certain psycho-physic level.”