** ALEX: An unforgettable May 5th

The start of the season 2001/2002 shows a completely renewed Juventus, both on the playground and the bench: Inzaghi and Zidane leave and Buffon, Thuram and Nedved arrive, while coach Ancelotti makes way for Marcello Lippi. It's a flying start: Venezia get to the Delle Alpi and they are overcome by the two goals scored by Trezeguet, who plays as first-choice, and the two of Alex's who, with a single blow, achieves and overcomes an historic target: 100 goals with the Juventus jersey. At the end of the season, Del Piero's goals in the Italian championship will be 16 and the last one will taste special: the last matchday of the season is scheduled at Udine.

The Bianconeri are second in the standings, one point behind Inter who are scheduled to play against Lazio at the Olimpico. It's a thrilling afternoon: at Udine, Trezeguet scores after two minutes and Del Piero seals the result on 11 minutes. The only thing left to do is wait and see what happens in Rome and the more news come out the more Juve get near to an historic feat. In the first half, Inter take the advantage twice and just as many times they get caught up, then, in the second half, they drop. The match at the Olimpico ends with Lazio winning by 4-2. Juventus are Italy's Champions for the 26th time and Alex wins his fourth shield. The fifth comes the following year, after a triumphant march made precious by Alex's 16 gems.

Juventus, who have conquered the Italian Super Cup in the summer, are doing great also in Europe. The Champions League semi-finals against Real Madrid is memorable: the Merengues win by 2-1 at the Bernabeu but at the Delle Alpi the Bianconeri play one of their most amazing matches. On the 3-1 that paves them the way for the finals in Manchester, there is also Del Piero's mark, as he scores the 2-0 goal thanks to one of his magic shots. Unfortunately the match against Milan at the Old Trafford turns out to be a bitter disappointment; a few months later, Juventus will take their revenge in the Italian Super Cup played in New York against the very Rossoneri and that will be the only trophy of the season, the last of the Lippi era.