A stroll through Italy's Serie A
by Paul Visca, SerieA.tv
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Claudio Ranieri has declared that Juventus' success is built on solid foundations.
In his first year at the Turin giants, the much-travelled coach has guided the Bianconeri to third place, consolidated with a win over rivals Inter on Saturday.
He said: "If we were building a house, I would say it is coming along very well.
The Bianconeri have held third place since Game Day 13 and have never dropped out of the top four since last September, nevertheless the former Chelsea manager underlined important progress has been made over the duration of the campaign.
He said: "We have improved a lot since the beginning of the championship. We believe in ourselves and must keep on giving 110% because winning always requires a great performance."
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The 56-year-old added that the victory over the champions Inter on Game Day 30 emphasised the wonderful season Juventus have been enjoying on their return to Serie A.
He said: "The win showed we are having a great championship. We gave an example of good football and strength of character."
Zanetti boosts Inter morale
Javier Zanetti has promised any pretenders to the title that Inter will rediscover their sparkle.
The club captain claimed the reigning champions would return to the devestating pre-Christmas form and although chasers AS Roma were capable of collecting all the points available to them in the title run-in, so were Inter.
He said: "I wouldn't be surprised if Roma collected all 24 points remaining, but Inter will also go for the full haul with a good chance of doing it."
Despite the Milan club's lead at the top being cut by seven points in seven matches, the midfielder stated that with a four-point cushion, the season was going to plan.
He said: "As far as the Championship goes, we are exactly where we thought we would be because any chances of repeating last year's record gap were forgotten about even before we got underway for pre-season training."
The 34-year-old then declared energy levels would be boosted by players returning to their former levels of fitness while playing less.
He said: "We'll get even stronger beacuse as of next week we'll be playing only once a week and also, the players who have come back from injury have been out of sync with the rest of the group but now we are getting back to our top form together."
Inzaghi targets return
Filippo Inzaghi is determined to return in time to make his contribution in the chase for a Champions League spot.
Despite being out for almost a month with a hernia, the AC Milan striker could return to action as early as this weekend for the Game Day 31 visit of Atalanta, if given the go-ahead by the club doctor.
He said: "I hope to come back against Atalanta as the problem seems to be clearing up but whether I play or nor will be decided after Doctor Martens' check-up."
The 34-year-old claimed that although he had missed three weeks training, it was important he rediscovered his form immediately because it was vital that the Milan club catch fourth place Fiorentina.
Serie A on FSC
Sun., May 11, 5 p.m. -
Inter Milan vs. Siena
Sun., May 11, 7 p.m. -
AS Roma vs. Atalanta
| All times ET, subject to change. | Full Schedule > |
He said: "I hope to get back to my best straight away so I can lend a hand as Fiorentina are going well, but fourth place is fundamental [for us]."
Despite the Rossoneri's stuttering campaign, the veteran is confident that teenage goal sensations Alexandre Pato and Alberto Paloschi promise a bright future.
He concluded: "Pato is quality and playing well, alongside Paloschi, Kaka and [Alberto] Gilardino, our future is in safe hands."
Dainelli urges compact Viola
Dario Dainelli is confident Fiorentina's unified stregnth will keep them in the Champions League hunt until the end of the season.
The Fiorentina captain pointed to the performance of stand-in goalkeeper Vlada Avramov in the Game Day 30 victory over Lazio as the perfect example of how the entire Viola squad is pulling together for the run-in to the season.
The 28-year-old said: "Whoever is called to the cause responds with quality and hard work, like Vlada did against Lazio."
The Viola captain declared that the same spirit will be needed week in week out as Fiorentina look to defend fourth place and a Champions League berth.
He said: "We'll keep playing for fourth place until the bitter end, looking to keep our advantage on AC Milan day after day."
With the side from Florence still involved in the UEFA Cup, the Italy international was relieved to have had an extended Easter weekend ahead of a hectic April, which includes a visit to leaders Inter.
He said: "Seeing what awaits us next month, it was important we had a short break to recharge our batteries."
Paul Visca is a writer and match commentator for SerieA.TV and will contribute Italian soccer news for FoxSoccer.com.
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