Juve eyes on Title

Juve eyes on Title

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero is confident his team have what it takes to win the Serie A this season, although he is determined to prevent any early success going to the players' heads.

The Turin club begin their campaign against Chievo tomorrow hoping to go one better than their second-placed finish last season.

It is almost a fresh start for Juve this term, with a different coach at the helm in Ciro Ferrara, who replaced Claudio Ranieri, and several new faces in the squad, including Diego, Felipe Melo and experienced defender Fabio Cannavaro.

And Del Piero is quietly hopeful they will be the club to end Inter Milan's dominance in Serie A.

"Inside us there is a will to win and the ambition to do so," the veteran striker told www.juventus.com.

"But we say so in a whisper without particular proclamations.

"For this reason, we must be committed day in day out, do one thing at a time and do it well. This is the road which has always given me satisfaction."

This season marks Juve's third back in the top flight after they were demoted to Serie B as part of their punishment for the Calciopoli scandal.

Ranieri lead the Bianconeri to third place in 2007/08 and the runners-up spot last time out, but Del Piero admits he is tired of playing second fiddle to four-time reigning champions Inter.

"The year in Serie B was a good one. We then did well in the two following seasons but I need more than that," he explained.

"I have always thought of when I would get back to winning with Juventus and now I do not want to think anymore but simply win."

Juventus' immediate concern, however, is a Chievo side who claimed a creditable 3-3 draw at the Stadio Olimpico in the corresponding fixture last season.

Del Piero has been battling a back injury, but is hopeful he will be fit.

"The recovery is proceeding well and I am aiming at being on the field on Sunday," he said.

"We want to start off well with a victory. It will be the field to judge our strength, even though our ambitions are clear.

"Last year they hurt us at home and therefore we can have some difficulties but difficulties are there to be overcome."

Mohamed Sissoko, Sebastian Giovinco and Tiago are definitely ruled out through injury, while Melo, who joined from Fiorentina in the summer, is suspended.

Chievo coach Domenico Di Carlo will have all his players available for the clash in Turin.

The Flying Donkeys only narrowly avoided relegation last term, finishing 16th in the 20-team table, and Di Carlo expects another challenging campaign this year.

"Our aim is to defend our top flight status," said Di Carlo. "It will not be easy but our strength will be the work done on the pitch each day.

"I have asked my players to work hard, to be organised and show intensity and if we do that there is no reason why we cannot achieve our task."