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Friday 4 July, 2008 |
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Claudio Ranieri has high hopes for his Juventus side this term and insists that he can build on last season’s success.
This time last year, Ranieri was coy as he prepared for his first season in Turin with a newly promoted Old Lady outfit.
But having secured third place and Champions League football, the former Parma boss is willing to admit that he has great expectations for the 2008-09 championship.
“Last year we built the foundations with an excellent campaign and now we will be looking to improve,” Ranieri declared.
“Anyone who comes to Juventus has to be ambitious and we will look to do our best in every competition.
“We must get through the first round of the Champions League and keep growing so that we are stronger when we get to the knockout stages.
“Serie A is always competitive and I expect Milan to be up there, as well as an improving Fiorentina and the UEFA Cup sides.
“A year ago we were starting from nothing, but now I know the lads and they know me – that obstacle has been negotiated.
“The first task is to ensure that the new arrivals also reach this stage and develop and understanding.
“The players that have already arrived, just as those who will come in the future, are mentally strong, technically gifted and combative.”
Juve are currently searching for a midfielder and will look to do better in the market than they did last year when they brought in flops Tiago Mendes and Sergio Almiron.
“We are currently weighing up some names for the midfield and there are more than two,” Ranieri revealed. “We will choose the player who seems likely to strengthen this team the most.”
Three players who spent last term at other sides due to co-ownership agreements have returned hoping to prove themselves.
“We have decided to bring back Paolo De Ceglie, Claudio Marchisio and Sebastian Giovinco because they did well in their Serie A debut seasons,” the former Chelsea tactician continued.
“Giovinco is a talent and he really knows how to dribble, open up and defence and make goals. He just needs to keep going with his calm and cheerful attitude.”
Juve's squad met today for their first pre-season gathering at Vinovo.
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