Juve set the pace for success

Beyond doubt 2005 was a fantastic year for Juventus. They went all the way to becoming Italy champions for the 28th time and this season they have already built what is widely touted by many as an assuring lead at the top of the standings that is edging the Bianconeri closer to a third 'star'.

At the moment, Fabio Capello's team are enjoying a cushion eight-point lead over Inter.

That advantage may not be enough though. In winter of last year, Juve forfeited a similar lead and were reached by Milan. But, perhaps, it is the way Juve are playing since Capello took over from Marcello Lippi in summer of 2004 that makes them look so invincible.

With Capello in charge, Juventus have always been first in the league standings. Last season, Milan were the only side that gave them a hard time in Serie A. But eventually, the Turin giants took over the mantle of champions from Milan in the do-or-die clash at the Meazza stadium.

This season Juventus are even stronger than the side that triumphed in May 2005. Statistics show this very clearly... this season Juve have six points more than they had after 17 games in 2004/05.

This time Juve had to do without regular keeper Gianluigi Buffon but Christian Abbiati has been a reliable replacement for the Italy no.1.

Juventus have practically left the defence unchanged except for Giorgio Chiellini. He has become a regular starter instead of Jonathan Zebina who is likely to move to Milan this month.

It is in midfield and attack that Juventus have made a quantum leap in quality. By signing Patrick Vieira from Arsenal, Juventus have possibly the strongest central midfield compartment in the continent. Those who argued that Vieira and Emerson were mere identical players were proved wrong.

The two have characteristics that compliment each other and that allows flank midfielders Pavel Nedved and Mauro Camoranesi to be more frequent in goalmouth action.

With Vieira, Juve have also become stronger defensively. The Frenchman is fulfilling the same role which Marcel Desailly had with Milan when Capello was in charge.

Last season, Juventus won the league title without David Trezeguet for most of the season as the striker spent several weeks out nursing injuries.

This time, Trezeguet has formed a deadly striking partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Sounds incredible but there's no space in the starting line-up for club hero Alessandro Del Piero any more.

Trezeguet - the Serie A's leading marksman in 2001/02 - has been scoring regularly this season. In Juve's 2-0 home win over Siena before Christmas, he grabbed his 15th of the season that helped him equal Roberto Baggio's 115 goals for the club.

Trezeguet appeared on the scorers' sheet in all of Juve's last nine games. If he scores in the next two matches - vs Palermo and Reggina - he will equal Gabriel Batistuta's all-time record of scoring in 11 successive Serie A games.

Another important factor behind Juve's surge is a resourceful squad.

Never before could Capello adopt a proper rotation policy. He has never been favourable to a 'long bench' because, he insists, this could create a friction between players.

However, Capello is fully aware that if his team are to mount a serious challenge for the European Cup and, at the same time, retain the domestic crown, then banking on reserves of strength becomes an essential prerequisite.

Pursuers' hopes

At present, Inter and Milan look the most dangerous rivals for Juve.

The next eight teams, starting from Fiorentina and going down to Palermo, are contending the last-remaining Champions League berth and the two UEFA Cup spots. The other nine teams - from Siena down to lowly Treviso - will struggle to avoid the bottom three places.

So far, Juventus, Inter and Milan played 23 games against the nine relegation-threatened sides. From that tally, the title contenders won 22 times and drew only once - Ascoli-Milan (1-1, on the first day).

In football you can never underestimate your opponent. However, at the same time, one has to be realistic and state that the chances of seeing Juventus drop points against the last nine classified teams looks far-fetched.

From next weekend until the make-or-break clash with Inter at the Meazza stadium, Juventus have only two seemingly difficult away fixtures - vs Palermo and Chievo.

But difficult away fixtures seem to be very rare this season for Juventus.

They have already conquered the Olympic Stadium (vs Roma), Florence and Udine. They shared the spoils with Lazio and lost their only game so far against Milan.

Juventus do not have a difficult away fixture programme and this seriously penalises the pursuers because they have to win their games whereas the chances of seeing Juve slip up are almost next to zero. It is perhaps this fact that makes of winter champions Juventus the prime favourites to retain the championship.