Juve back among Europe's finest

'Fantastic season'
Third-placed Juve have achieved the feat in their first season back in the top flight following their relegation to Serie B for their part in the sporting fraud scandal. Former Chelsea FC and Parma FC coach Ranieri, who took over in June following the departure of Didier Deschamps, said: "A great thank you goes to the lads because it has not been easy to end up where we are. Compliments to everyone. It was not easy to be third three games from the end of the season. They have had a fantastic campaign.

'Great personality'
"It was not easy for me to arrive at Juve, build a team and immediately win," Ranieri continued. "Could we have done more? It is fine like this. I feel I have a team that has great personality, they know what they want and are able to achieve it." Juve are five points behind second-placed AS Roma and still have a chance of overhauling them and securing a berth in the UEFA Champions League group stage without needing to play a qualifier.

Del Piero goals
Alessandro Del Piero, who was in the Juve team crowned European champions in 1996, scored his 18th Serie A goal of the campaign against Lazio to confound those who thought the 33-year-old would not be able to cope back in the big time – and boost his chances of being called up by Italy for UEFA EURO 2008™. David Trezeguet, who nearly left Juve in June having also spent a season in Serie B, is joint-top scorer in the league with 19 and has forced himself back into the France squad.