Simone Pepe has joked that video cassettes were still in widespread use the last time he played for Juventus as he celebrated an emotional comeback on Thursday.
Pepe, 31, made his first start for the Bianconeri since May 2012 as they booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia thanks to a convincing 6-1 win over Hellas Verona, the side they meet again in the league at the weekend.
Pepe, capped 23 times by Italy, had suffered with a series of injuries and failed comeback attempts and told RAI after the game: "The last time I played, there were still video cassettes.
"I dedicate this to my wife, who has given me two children in these two-and-a-half years. Yes, two -- since I couldn't play football, I kept myself busy with other things.
"And I dedicate it to my parents, who suffer more than I do. I want to be Pepe again and this has taken me a step forwards. I've been training normally now for five months and the coach has told me recently that he thinks I'm looking good, well here I am."
Massimiliano Allegri named a makeshift XI for the game, leaving Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal at home, while Gianluigi Buffon, Fernando Llorente and Giorgio Chiellini were on the bench.
Even so, Pepe hopes to be given more chances to prove himself between now and the end of the season.
"My contract's up for renewal in the summer and I'd like to continue with Juventus, where I believe there could be room for me," Pepe said. "I would play in goal just to play -- I'm a bit small, but I could do it. Joking aside, I could play either full-back or wide, wherever the coach needs me.
"When you play in a side as strong as this one, even those players who have been out for a long time can return in style. It's important for me to feel like a footballer again. I've had two-and-a-half years of hell, but now I'm looking to the future."
Pepe was joined in the Juve starting XI by another unfamiliar face as Sebastian Giovinco making a rare appearance, and Allegri said he was impressed with his performance.
"I'm delighted because when these lads play so well, it makes things difficult for me," Allegri said, "but that means if I have to make changes, either at the start of the game or during it, it means I can do so without worrying about the side losing any quality.
"Giovinco is a Juventus player and we never put him on the transfer list and I don't think he's thinking about this either.
"He gave me the perfect answer tonight. Even if he's not played much, we are going to need him right to the end."