Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 6y

Alessandro Del Piero: Not the first time Juventus have limped through autumn

Alessandro Del Piero says he is not concerned by Juventus' current form as he expects them to hit top gear when it matters -- in the spring.

Juventus' 3-2 defeat to Sampdoria in Serie A last weekend was followed by a goalless draw with Barcelona, which means they must win their final group game at Olympiakos to be certain of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League.

The Bianconeri trail Serie A leaders Napoli by four points and would slip as low as fifth if Roma and Lazio were both to win games in hand.

Del Piero does not believe there is any cause for concern, although he admits they cannot dawdle for too long with crucial games coming up, including a trip to Naples on Dec. 1.

"Sometimes you have to pass through a tight passage before the road opens up nicely in front of you," Del Piero told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It's not the first time that Juve have limped through autumn, but you need to be strong when spring arrives. I still expect Juventus to be protagonists in Italy and in Europe.

"Juventus need to shake themselves up, though. They need those two or three games which give the impression that they are back."

Del Piero has tipped Paulo Dybala to lead Juve's return to form, saying that criticism of his recent lack of goals is unfair.

"Paulo played very well against Barcelona," he said. "He was the only one who went the extra mile. He kept possession, attracted fouls and went close to scoring late on.

"It's just because of the bucket loads of goals he scored at the start of the season that people are judging him, but Dybala's getting better and better and he'll get back to those levels again."

Juve midfielder Miralem Pjanic sat beside Del Piero at an event organised by Adidas in Milan on Thursday and he confirmed that winning a record seventh straight Serie A title continues to spur him and Juve on.

"Napoli, Inter and Rome are doing very well, and we have to compliment them, but the championship is long and we are not so far away from last year's performance in terms of points," he told the club's official website.

"We have the same great desire to win the Scudetto, it remains our goal.

"The Champions League is a very long and difficult journey and you also need a little bit of luck and your players available and healthy. Our first thought is to qualify for the knockout round."

Juventus can do that by beating Olympiakos -- or even drawing or losing -- if Barcelona prevent Sporting Lisbon from picking up a surprise result at Camp Nou.

Defender Medhi Benatia says it is a test they must come through, since he "hates seeing opponents celebrating."

"We've got a good chance of going through, but it's going to be hostile in Athens," he told Tuttosport.

"But the fans don't play the game, and if we're not good enough to beat Olympiacos then it would mean we were not good enough to go through."

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