Juve plan return to their roots

Winter Olympics
The Stadio Comunale has been rebuilt in preparation for Turin hosting the Winter Olympics from 10-26 February 2006. Torino Calcio will occupy the stadium after that, with the ground being renamed the Stadio Grande Torino after the great Torino side that died in a plane crash in May 1949.

Sharing plans
However, the Granata are likely to be happy to share the new 27,000-seater arena with their city rivals until work on the Delle Alpi is completed, and Juventus have applied to the local authorities, who own the venue, for permission to play matches there in 2006/07.

'Very beautiful'
"This new stadium is something for the whole city to be proud of," said Juventus official Antonio Giraudo. "We have already made a request to the local authorities in Turin to use it for our home games next season." Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero added: "It's a very beautiful stadium."

Chequered past
Work on the original Stadio Comunale started in 1932 and it was initially named after fascist leader Benito Mussolini, with the inaugural fixture at the 71,160-capacity ground being played on 14 May 1933. The stadium was given its current name in the aftermath of the second world war.

Lucky venue
The Comunale proved to be a lucky venue for Juventus, with the team winning 18 of their 28 Scudettos while based there. Meanwhile, Torino, who have played at the famous old ground since the 1958/59 season, won Serie A in 1975/76.

Memories flowing
Juventus coach Fabio Capello recently returned to the arena which witnessed many of his greatest moments as a player. "I have so many memories in this stadium after playing here for six seasons," he said. "Even if almost everything is changed and modern now, I really hope we can play here next season."

Local authorities
The club now await approval for their plans to use the stadium. "We are negotiating a one-year contract with Juventus, with the option of a further year so they can play here until the Delle Alpi is ready," said Turin mayor Sergio Chiamparino.

Lack of atmosphere
The vast Delle Alpi, built for the 1990 FIFA World Cup and often labelled a "stadio senza anima" - a soulless stadium - is to be redeveloped with a reduced 40,000 capacity and new stands placed on the athletics track that previously lay between supporters and pitch.