Monday 31st August 2009
Ferrara applauds Juve display
Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara hailed his team's togetherness as they cruised to a 3-1 win at Roma.
The Bianconeri maintained their 100% start thanks to goals from new-boys Diego, who scored twice, and Felipe Melo. Daniele De Rossi cancelled out Diego's opener but Roma were second best.
"It's great to have six points in the standings," said Ferrara. "But that is not as significant as the awareness that we have claimed an important win today.
"We knew that Diego has great quality but he also proved himself useful to the team at the defensive end.
"Despite giving away a goal, I thought we played a perfect first half.
"The key to our win is that Juve played as they should, like a team."
The victory leaves Juve two points clear of defending champions Inter Milan and three in front of AC Milan after two games played.
"It's true we are ahead of Inter," said Ferrara. "But it's early days yet."
Juve hero Diego was delighted to have made an immediate impact with his new club following his summer switch from Werder Bremen.
"I knew it was going to be difficult to do well against Roma but we knew that if we played quality football we could win and that was the case," said the Brazil international.
"I have adapted well to Italian football and that is thanks to Juve, to my coach Ciro Ferrara and to my team-mates."
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti blasted his players for their lack of fighting spirit.
The Giallorossi slumped to their second consecutive loss after going down 3-2 at Genoa on the opening weekend.
"Juve have been more consistent," said Spalletti.
"Several of my players have not reached their best condition and that was evident today as was the lack of battling spirit of my team."
Spalletti nevertheless remains hopeful his side will soon find their form and start getting results.
"We have a great team," he said. "But we need to improve on the physical side.
"The important thing for us is that certain players like Juan, Cicinho and Simone Perrotta, who have recovered from injury, get their fitness back."
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