Juventus will be boosted by the return of French striker David
Trezeguet for Thursday's Europa League round-of-32 first-leg tie
away to Ajax.
Trezeguet has been out of action since January 6 with an
ankle injury but has recovered in time to make the Juve squad for
the game (kick-off 6pm GMT).
The Turin outfit have struggled for much of the season but go
into the encounter in buoyant mood, with Alberto Zaccheroni having
enjoyed his first win since replacing Ciro Ferrara last month.
Juventus prevailed 3-2 over Genoa at the weekend and climbed
to sixth in Serie A, just one point behind Napoli, who hold the
last Champions League qualifying spot.
"We really needed that victory," said Juve defender Nicola
Legrottaglie. "It was important to regain confidence in our
potential and now we hope that against Ajax we can give the
continuity that we have lacked up to now."
Juve were knocked out of the Champions League before the
winter break while they were eliminated from the Coppa Italia last
month.
Trailing Serie A leaders Inter Milan by 16 points in the
standings, the Europa League represents the only realistic chance
of finishing with silverware this season.
"You only need to look at the teams that are participating in
the Europa League to realise what a prestigious competition this
is," said Legrottaglie.
"Ajax is a very good team with a strong attack but we also
have a very good side."
Ajax have faced Juve 10 times before at the Amsterdam ArenA.
The Italians have had the upper hand, winning five times and losing
only twice in Holland.
Ajax are upbeat going into the match as well after a 2-0 win
at Heerenveen on Saturday. That success ended a three-match losing
streak on the road for the Dutch team and left Ajax third in the
Eredivisie standings, nine points behind league leaders PSV
Eindhoven.
"It was a very important win for us," admitted Ajax coach
Martin Jol. Midfielders Urby Emanuelson and Eyong Enoh missed the
match at Heerenveen with hamstring problems but have been passed
fit for Thursday's clash.
Ajax have lost just one game at home this season in the
competition, a 3-1 defeat to Anderlecht in December. Juve will be
without veteran defender Fabio Cannavaro and striker Vincenzo
Iaquinta, both sidelined through injury. The tie concludes in Turin
on February 25.
