Past v present - Del Piero, Dybala set for free-kick duel

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero and current Juve star Paulo Dybala are preparing to face off in a free-kick duel.

Source: AAP, Getty Images

The former and current Juventus number 10s, both set-piece specialists, caught up for a chat via Instagram, discussing technique and favourite goals as they prepare to honour an agreement to take each other on in a free-kick challenge.

They have decided Gianluigi Buffon will be the goalkeeper for the duel, though he has yet to publicly commit to the gig.

"Remember, 10 free-kicks with the right foot and 10 with the left," said Del Piero, 45, before praising the Argentine for his jaw-dropping strike against Inter Milan in the Derby d'Italia right before Italy went into COVID-19 lockdown.

"I think the one you scored against Inter last month was the best, because it was so complex. Others had more technique to them, but this was a complete goal.”

As for best goals scored from free-kicks?

“The one against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, but also with Bologna, 2008 against Zenit or even the 2-0 at the Bernabeu. Leaving that stadium to applause was unforgettable,” said a not-so-humble Del Piero, perhaps to remind his junior of his exploits.

Dybala, 26, selected his stunning, match-winning strike almost from the byline against Atletico Madrid in this season's UEFA Champions League.

“The one with Atletico Madrid was up there, because we won with that goal and I had so little time to make that decision,” Dybala said.

“Miralem Pjanic told me to take the free kick low, but I hit it high and as hard as I possibly could.

"Jan Oblak wasn’t expecting that. It was a tricky one, as there were so many chances for that to go wrong.”