Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero has revealed the players will
go on a training camp as they bid to put a "devastating" week
behind them.
The Serie A giants have had a week to forget after they were
dumped out of the Europa League following a 4-1 defeat at Fulham -
a humiliation that came shortly after their draw against Siena
where they let slip a three-goal advantage.
Juve completed a hat-trick of defeats on Sunday night when
Antonio Cassano scored the only goal of the game in the 77th minute
with a stunning strike for Sampdoria.
The Bianconeri are facing another crisis again, following an
improved run after Alberto Zaccheroni replaced the sacked Ciro
Ferrara in January and, in an attempt to put things right, are set
to go on a training camp a day earlier ahead of Thursday's trip to
Napoli.
"We asked to go to training camp so we could spend a bit of
time together, to rediscover our physical and mental energies,"
said Del Piero.
"It was a devastating week, from the game against Siena to
the exit from the cup, to Cassano's great goal in an evening where
we were equal to each other until that time.
"We took a harsh blow.
"There are still nine games left and we can't make any more
mistakes.
"It's a pity, with Zac we were recovering, in seven days we
have ruined a month and a half of work."
The defeat saw Samp leapfrog Juve in the standings, leaving
the Bianconeri in sixth place, two points behind fourth-placed
Palermo.
And Zaccheroni admits he will consider himself a failure if
Juve fail to qualify for the Champions League.
"If we don't succeed in getting to fourth place that means
that I have failed in my mission," he said.
"This is a squad which has to rediscover its strengths. I
think we are still on course for fourth place.
"Inside the dressing room there is no desire to finish a
season by failing, instead their is desire to redeem themselves.
"Certainly, right up until the end, we will never give up:
both me and the squad see it as a challenge to win."
