Del Piero out but Juve sitting pretty

JUVENTUS travel to Manchester today accompanied

Del Piero will join 20 players named by Juventus coach Marcello Lippi for the clash between two of the biggest names in European football.

Juve have proved a formidable outfit even in the absence of del Piero, who has 12 Serie A goals this term, and they are now top of Serie A on goal difference.

After Sunday’s 2-1 win over Parma, del Piero is confident that if the Italian champions continue in their recent form they can succeed tomorrow.

“The team has shown great quality, but the best is the great character of the team and the spirit shown on the pitch. This is the right way to follow and we need to maintain this in the forthcoming matches,” said del Piero.

Del Piero, also Juve’s joint highest goalscorer in the Champions League with four goals alongside striker Marco di Vaio, is out of action because of a muscle injury in his left thigh.

Therefore, veteran defender Ciro Ferrara could lead Juventus if coach Lippi selects him in the starting line-up, although alternatively defender Paolo Montero will take the captaincy.