Coach Claudio Ranieri has praised the attitude of his Juventus players as they prepare to end a "difficult" two-season exile from the UEFA Champions League, telling uefa.com they are showing "a new spirit, a spirit of rebirth".
Sudden demotion
The Turin club's UEFA Champions League story has been a case of not knowing what they had until it was gone. Relegated from Serie A in 2006 as a result of the Italian sporting fraud scandal, Juventus were suddenly ejected from Europe's élite, having to battle their way back into their own top flight and then into the continent's over the next two seasons.
Confidence lifted
Ranieri, who took charge in the summer of 2007, completed the second leg of that journey and is delighted to have restored La Vecchia Signora to the promised land. "Returning to the Champions League is something to be proud of," the 56-year-old told uefa.com. "It's a huge step from Serie B to the Champions League, but it was necessary to give the whole club and our fans their confidence back."
Notable first
Indeed, the Bianconeri achieved a notable Italian first in winning a UEFA Champions League place – by finishing third – as a promoted club. It was, says Ranieri, testament to their determination. "There is a great desire, especially from the point of view of the players," said Ranieri. "They felt the relegation was not fair and that's why they have this desire to make up for it and make up for lost time in Europe."
Painful memories
Juventus last competed in the UEFA Champions League in 2005/06 when they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Arsenal FC, although a more painful recent memory of the competition is the shoot-out defeat by AC Milan in the 2003 final. However, this campaign looks well-starred for them. The previous occasion the final was played at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, in 1996, Juve beat AFC Ajax on penalties.
'We won't sleep well'
To return to the scene of that triumph next May, Ranieri's men must first get through Group H where they will meet FC Zenit St. Petersburg at home on Wednesday before ties against FC BATE Borisov and Real Madrid CF. "This group is very tough," said Ranieri. "It's logical that we won't sleep well, but the other teams won't sleep well knowing they have to face Juventus."
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