Juventus had some reason to be cheerful at the end of a troubling week as Nicolas Anelka committed himself to the quest for an historic double.
The former France international striker has been quietly undergoing medical examinations and getting to know his new team-mates while Juve's management wrestle with the authorities in the aftermath of last weekend's dramatic events.
Juve coach Antonio Conte was handed a two-game touchline ban, starting against Chievo on Saturday, for directing a furious tirade at referee Marco Guida following a 1-1 draw with Genoa.
Juve were then beaten to the Coppa Italia final by Lazio, ending hopes of a treble, but Anelka is convinced the Turin giants can still retain the Scudetto and triumph in Europe.
After signing a six-month contract, he told Gazzetta.it: "I've come to a huge club, which is set up like one big family. I'm proud to wear this shirt.
"I've settled in well in the changing room and everyone's made me feel at home.
"I think Serie A is a really difficult league - physical and competitive.
"The Champions League will be difficult to win but I think that a team like Juve has the players and the quality to do it.
"I've come to Turin to make a difference and it's the biggest club of my career. We want to confirm our position as champions of Italy.
"I will do everything I can to win the Scudetto and to win the Champions League."
Midfielder Simone Pepe, striker Nicklas Bendtner and defender Giorgio Chiellini will all miss out in Verona due to injury, while Mirko Vucinic and Leonardo Bonucci serve suspensions.
Chievo boss Eugenio Corini is steadily building a cohesive unit that could well secure a top-half finish.
Against all odds, the Gialloblu edged a 1-0 win at high-flying Lazio to draw closer to Corini's season target of 50 points.
"The lads gave it their all in the match," he said.
"They were a tight unit with a warrior's mentality against a big team that is having an extraordinary season.
"Twenty-eight points doesn't bring us up to a high level but it allows us to be more calm about the future.
"First we need to think about securing survival then hopefully we will get some good results and 50 points."
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