Source: Team_Talk
Del Piero wary of Juve threat
Juventus veteran Alessandro Del Piero expects a tough test against Manchester City in the Europa League on Thursday night.[LNB] Del Piero, 35, has vast experience of playing against English sides over the years.[LNB]And he knows City will be fired up for the clash in front of their own fans at Eastlands.[LNB]Speaking ahead of a training session, he said: "Manchester City are in excellent shape and it will be very hard for us. It always is when you are in England.[LNB]"They have invested heavily and one of the reasons they can be successful is that they have a great squad of players."[LNB]Juventus, like City, are in transition with a new coach in Luigi Del Neri, who was appointed in May, and are struggling to get going in Serie A.[LNB]Del Piero said: "We have a good base to build on and are at the beginning of a journey. Hopefully we our results will improve as time goes on."[LNB]Juventus face a crunch match against Inter Milan on Sunday but Del Neri is thinking only of their Group A meeting with City.[LNB]He said: "I am only interested in tomorrow not the following match. We will see then if we have improved.[LNB]"A new team always make mistakes. You not only need to fix the problems but also to focus on what you do well."[LNB]Meanwhile Giorgio Chiellini is set to sign a two-year contract extension with Juventus in the next few weeks.[LNB]The Italy international's current deal expires in June 2012 and Real Madrid were among the top European clubs keen to acquire Chiellini's services this summer.[LNB]A statement from the club read: "The club executives met with Giorgio Chiellini.[LNB]"The two sides are very close to reaching an agreement for a contract renewal.[LNB]"The details of the deal will be revealed in a few weeks' time."[LNB]The 26-year-old centre-back has been a regular since joining the Bianconeri in the summer of 2005 from Fiorentina.[LNB]Last season, Chiellini was named Serie A defender of the year for the second time running for his solid performances.
