Juventus captain Alessandro del Piero struck a hat-trick in yesterday's 4-0 victory at Atalanta.

Del Piero is battling Sampdoria's Antonio Cassano for a place in Roberto Donadoni's Euro2008 squad, though the veteran insisted at the final whistle: "I don't feel we are in a race. I prefer to focus on doing well and I am happy that Cassano is also in good shape. At the end of the day we're all waiting for the Coach's decision.

"In the game against France I played as a wide midfielder. I can do that, but not with the same results I can guarantee as a forward.

"There are no particular problems in that respect. I also spoke to Donadoni on the phone before his latest call-ups."

On the victory against Atalanta, Del Piero added: "Third place represents a great achievement and the ambition of this club is to always improve in every match and every competition. If we go to the Champions League it will be a different campaign."