The CBS studio was stunned after Kate Abdo announced who would be replacing Jamie Carragher on the panel for Borussia Dortmund versus Paris Saint-Germain.
The Champions League semi-final first leg between Dortmund and PSG will see the return of CBS’ beloved coverage of the competition.
Abdo leads a star-studded panel that traditionally features Carragher, Micah Richards and Thierry Henry, with their relaxed but insightful coverage having drawn widespread acclaim and generated several viral videos
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However, Dortmund and PSG’s upcoming clash will see Carragher take on a different reporting role from Germany, with the Liverpool icon set to be replaced in the studio by one of Italy’s greatest-ever players.
Abdo teased before a commercial break: “We’re going to talk about Jamie’s trip to Dortmund, but who is going to replace Jamie Carragher in the studio? Find out after the break.”
Carragher boldly interjected: “Whoever it is, they won’t be better than me.”
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Following the advertisements, Abdo announced: “Everybody. Breaking news: Del Piero for Carragher.”
The studio erupted at the prospect of the 2006 World Cup winner gracing the studio, with Richards emphatically pumping his fists in the air in celebration.
Upon beginning his career with Italian side Padova in Serie B in 1991, Alessandro Del Piero moved to Juventus two years later, where he played 19 seasons, 11 as captain.
There he scored a club record 290 goals and made a record 705 appearances as the Old Lady won six Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia, four Supercoppa Italiana titles, the Champions League, Super Cup, UEFA Intertoto Cup and the Intercontinental Cup.
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In the twilight of his career, Del Piero spent two seasons with Australian side Sydney FC and one campaign with Delhi Dynamos FC in the Indian Super League before announcing his retirement in 2014.
He has subsequently gone on to work as a pundit in his native Italy, while he often takes on touchline reporting duties for CBS.
Topics: CBS Sports, Champions League, Jamie Carragher, Alessandro Del Piero, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain
Chris Byfield