When it comes to Leandro Cufre one cannot help but think of the sensational episode of the slap in the face Alessandro Del Piero. In a very hot Roma-Juventus match in March 2005, the Argentine defender, after a clash with the number 10, gave him a forbidden shot. No reaction from the opponent and endless controversy over an episode which, years later, is still controversial. In fact, Cufré spoke about it in his last “Italian” interview on Radio Romanista.
Cufré and the slap to Del Piero in Roma-Juventus, the Argentine’s reconstruction
The former footballer, who today works as an assistant coach of the Venezuelan national team, listened to an audio from the time about the chatter face to face with the great glory of Juventus. Cufré hinted that he had reacted to something that had happened previously, without however wanting to reveal anything: “Things that happen inside football, inside matches. When you play with your heart, sometimes these things come out. Passion conveys all the emotions in this episode. I didn’t like what I saw, but in the end – without apologizing – there was my reaction: I reacted after an action. I’m not coming to say ‘the other guy did this to me’, but I reacted because otherwise it’s impossible to react in this way“.
The relationship with Del Piero after the forbidden coup
To justify himself, Cufré refers to the fact that that episode was unique in his career. Despite everything, no justification or excuse. Have there been any contacts with Del Piero since then? Leandro’s explanation is peremptory: “I’ve never done this in my career: it was the only time I reacted badly. I don’t justify myself: I did it at that moment, I know because I did it, and then I never did it again, either before or after. Did we speak to Del Piero after that situation? No, I don’t care.”
Del Piero’s lip on Yildiz’s shot in Juve-Roma: it’s the captain’s heart that speaks
Cufré’s attack on Juventus
Cufré cannot forget that match, which was also characterized by controversy. Years later, the Argentine still hasn’t digested what happened, judging by his very strong words: “A penalty was one meter outside the area… a goal… and on Cannavaro’s offside who was two meters forward. It was amazing stuff. It was all done to make this team win… I can’t even name it. The game was stolen. Then we saw that the phone calls… had to win. It was bad to play because it was impossible to win that match. It was the return of a coach who was in Roma: they had to win. The game was stolen. I also remember Montella caught by the cameras going to the linesman to say: ‘It’s not possible, you only see black and white…’. It was one thing… I apologize for the word, but it sucked to play that match, because it was impossible to win.”
