Juve profiting from Manninger revival

As back-up to Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon, Alexander Manninger knows better than most that it is hard to play second fiddle to one of the game's greats.

Limelight
The Austrian experienced the same phenomenon when he was second choice behind David Seaman at Arsenal FC early in his career, but the 31-year-old is finally enjoying his own spell in the limelight. After Buffon sustained a thigh injury in early October, Manninger stepped into a Juventus side which has since lost just one match and won seven, including back-to-back UEFA Champions League victories against Real Madrid CF. "If he goes on like this I might not get my place back," joked Buffon.

Assured displays
Manninger's assured displays mean Buffon will not be rushed back into the lineup, and with the Italian international unlikely to play again until 2009, Manninger will be the team's last line of defence as they go in search of an eighth straight win against Serie A leaders FC Internazionale Milano on Saturday. "After a poor start, now we are on a little run and it definitely helps morale," Manninger told uefa.com ahead of the 'derby d'Italia'.

'Perfect performance'
Victory against Inter would see Claudio Ranieri's side draw level with José Mourinho's team and halt the Portuguese coach's proud unbeaten record of 103 home league matches. With their place in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round already assured, the pressure is off ahead of next week's Matchday 5 encounter with FC Zenit St. Petersburg, though Manninger is hoping Juventus can repeat the display in Madrid which sealed their place in the last 16 when they face the Serie A champions. "We defended well, we played well on the counterattack, and made the most of our possession. We closed down well at the back, and that was the key," explained the Austrian No1, who should play against Inter despite a slight back injury which sidelined him for his country's friendly with Turkey on Wednesday. "It was a perfect performance."

Del Piero praise
The chief architect of their 2-0 win in the Spanish capital was Alessandro Del Piero, who scored in each half to earn himself a rare standing ovation from the Santiago Bernabéu crowd. Manninger believes the Turin club's captain could again prove the match-winner in the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza this weekend. "We have really seen how the big players, when they come out, can decide a game," said the former ACF Fiorentina keeper. "Del Piero is just fantastic. He looks normal, but he does things that only he can do, and it's just a pleasure to have him in the team."