Juventus vs Chievo preview - Del Neri: It`s not over yet

Posted Monday, May 09, 2011 by PA

Juventus coach Luigi Del Neri has refused to write off his team's chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

The Bianconeri host Del Neri's former club Chievo needing a win to keep alive their hopes of finishing in the top four.

Victory would see Juve cut the gap to fourth-place Udinese to three points with two rounds remaining.

Udinese beat Lazio 2-1 to hold onto the last Champions League qualifying spot.

"In football it's not over until the numbers say so," Del Neri said.

"We are fighting for the fourth spot and we will continue to do so until the end, trying to win our next three games."

Juve extended their unbeaten run to seven games in last weekend's 1-0 triumph at Lazio.

"We have found a good balance," Del Neri said. "It has been a difficult campaign for us due to injuries but we must look ahead.

"We have confidence in our means and we will try to finish the season on a high note."

Del Neri believes the outcome in their last three games will not determine whether or not he will guide Juve next season.

The Bianconeri tactician joined the Turin outfit last summer and is under contract until June 2012.

He said: "What are the chances that I will be the Juve coach next season? 100%."

Chievo, meanwhile, took a giant stride towards securing their top-flight status last weekend.

Luca Rigoni's goal gave the men from Verona a 1-0 triumph over strugglers Lecce.

The victory was Chievo's second in five games, and lifted them to 12th in the standings.

"I expect a very motivated Juve," Chievo coach Stefano Pioli said.

"We will have to keep a high level of concentration from start to finish if we are to take a good result home."

Pioli will have all of his players available with defenders Bojan Jokic and Davide Mandelli having recovered from injury.

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