Del Piero relieved to end drought

Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero has admitted that he was relieved to finally get off the mark this season after netting in last night's Coppa Italia victory over Roma. The 37-year-old, who has had to make do with a substitute role most of this season under coach Antonio Conte, started against Roma and netted his side's second goal in the 3-0 quarter-final win with a curling right-footed effort into the far top corner. It was not only his first strike in 15 appearances but his first goal in the new Juventus stadium. "I've shaken off a slight burden, because both myself and many fans had been waiting for this goal," Del Piero said to Gazzetta dello Sport. "It was nice to score because the goal came during a good performance, made up of plenty of movement and exchanges with team-mates." Juve's all-time record goalscorer added: "I wanted to play well, get through to the next round and then score a goal. I'm happy, but this performance will not change much as far as I'm concerned. I'll continue to prepare to my very best, as always, just like my team-mates. We're all working towards the same objective with great commitment." Juve, who are unbeaten this season and lead the Serie A standings, will face the either AC Milan or Lazio in the last four of the Coppa.