Juventus playmaker Diego insists he is not concerned by his lack of goals - providing he continues creating them for others.

The Brazilian, who was Juve's marquee signing in the summer when he arrived from Werder Bremen, has been highly impressive for the Old Lady as they look likely to be the strongest challengers for Inter Milan's Serie A crown.

While he has struggled to find the net himself - despite being a regular scorer in the Bundesliga - Diego has certainly been productive, laying on goals in the recent clashes with Maccabi Haifa and Siena.

And he told Tuttosport: "I like giving assists. I did it for Vincenzo Iaquinta and Giorgio Chiellini, as well as Amauri. I am happy I can decide wins with my free-kicks.

"Of course I am aiming to score, but it isn't a problem if I don't for now. However, saying that, I hope to do so soon."

Diego has also been dragged into the protracted debate about Sampdoria forward Antonio Cassano and his ongoing struggle to get back into Italy's national team.

"I'm not sure if he deserves the national team, but I can say he is world class," he said.

"He is an important player for Samp and he merits attention. We need to mark him tightly."

Juve boss Ciro Ferrara will be without Iaquinta, who is facing around five weeks on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery today.

Ferrara is also without Tiago, Alessandro Del Piero, Hasan Salihamidzic, Claudio Marchisio and Jonathan Zebina.

Former Juve youngster Daniele Gastaldello returns from injury for Samp with Franco Semioli the only absentee as they seek to continue excellent form which sees them second behind Inter and two points ahead of tomorrow's opponents.

"It's a new feeling for us but a positive one," Samp coach Luigi Del Neri said of his side's lofty position.

"We're now going to play against a team which has a winning culture and we can learn from their mentality and their desire to do well. This is just the match we need to see if we are getting used to being at the top.

"We will see what we're made of against Juventus. Juventus are four points behind Inter and we are in between the two. If we could stay there it wouldn't be a bad thing."

Del Neri added: "We're enjoying our role as outsiders, without giving any weight to what people are saying about us.

"Everything is going well here. We know what we can do, the season will be long and difficult but we are a big club with players of great quality.

"Juve have an abundance of physical strengths, they exploit free-kicks so dead-ball situations will be a battle. We need to keep our wits about us as they are also a dangerous threat in the air.

"They are a world-class team, despite all of their injury problems, and they will fight to win the Scudetto."