Del Piero urges Juve to take it one game at a time

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has implored his team-mates to keep their minds off qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

The former Serie A champions, who have endured a tough season, are within touching distance of fourth spot – which carries the last Champions League place – but Del Piero has urged his colleagues to concentrate on one game at a time.

“We’ll draw our conclusions at the end of the championship, hoping to have reached the highest place possible in the table,” he wrote on his personal website.

“This is the only way to close this particular season, following all the problems we have had to face.”

Juve, who are unbeaten in seven games, claimed a 1-0 win over fourth-placed Lazio – four points ahead of the Turin side – who despite their recent form, are in seventh place which does not grant them entry in either continental competition.

“Let’s take these three points [against Lazio], they’re very important, and now we can think about the next three. And then about the subsequent three. And finally about the last three.”

“Following the match against Lazio, we must be focused on next Monday’s game only, aiming at obtaining the best up until the end of the season.”

Del Piero’s team-mate Leonardo Bonucci said that, while he is disappointed about the side’s sub-par performances throughout the season so far, they must concentrate on building on their momentum.

“Of course it’s normal that, when looking at the table, we feel some regrets for points lost in previous games,” he said on his website.

“However, that’s what football’s about and we need to focus on the moment.”

“Regarding our objectives, I feel it’s only necessary to say that the three points against Lazio have taken us closer to the important positions.”

“However, to avoid bad luck and also for realism, I want to wait until the end of the championship. Then we well know if we’ve been able to address an unlucky season.”