Siena 0-3 Juventus

New boss Ciro Ferrara enjoyed a near-perfect first game in charge of Juventus as he guided them to a 3-0 win at Siena.

Former Juve defender Ferrara was brought in to replace Claudio Ranieri, who was sacked on Monday following a run of seven games without a win that had threatened their bid to qualify directly for next season's Champions League.

But Alessandro del Piero almost single-handedly allayed those fears as he scored two and made another, for Claudio Marchisio, to wrap up a win that moves them three points ahead of fourth-placed Fiorentina after they drew 1-1 at Lecce.

It is a gap that, coupled with Juve's 16 goals better goal difference, virtually assures them their place in Europe's premier club competition as they go into the final day of the season against Lazio next Sunday.

To further enthuse the mood in Turin, Juve could yet steal second place from AC Milan who lost 3-2 at home to Roma to allow Ferrara's troops to draw level with them on 71 points.

After sacking Ranieri on Monday, Juventus general manager Jean Claude Blanc said the decision was made as a "last resort" to try and inspire a turnaround in the club's fortunes.

And in scorching conditions at the Stadio Artemio Franchi the Juve players showed an immediate response to vindicate his decision.

Nicola Legrottaglie saw his shot after two minutes deflected out for a corner before Vincenzo Iaquinta failed to get enough power on his effort from the centre of the area to test Siena keeper Gianluca Curci.

The home side threatened briefly when Emanuele Calaio's left-footed shot from the edge of the area flew over, but Juve were ahead with 18 minutes gone.

Del Piero, who shook off an injury sustained in training during the week to be fit, was the scorer and he did so in signature style by firing in a 30-yard free-kick that curled in the top-right corner.

It was no more than the visitors deserved for their enterprising start and a second would follow before the break with Del Piero the architect.

The 34-year-old striker used all of his experience to spot Marchisio and pick him out with a pass that the former Italy Under-21 international needed only to poke home with 34 minutes played.

After the break Juve went in search of making their advantage even more comfortable, although with Fiorentina falling behind at Lecce soon after half-time in their game their place in the Champions League was, at that point, in their grasp.

Nevertheless Del Piero continued to terrorise the home side, attempting a 35-yard drive that required a good save from Curci.

Siena were offering little as an attacking force and Lukas Jarolim should have done better than shoot over from 15 yards after Antonio Zito had done well to find him with a pass.

Del Piero forced Curci into another save with a low drive from 20 yards after 69 minutes.

Gianluigi Buffon was forced into his first save of the game with 14 minutes to go to deny Zito before Pavel Naved drew a save from Curci at the other end as the game wound to a close.

Del Piero would make one last mark on the game, however, as he profited on an assist from Marchisio to score low into the bottom corner.

Ferrara's hopes of a perfect day did not fully materialise as Fiorentina scored in the last minute against Lecce to keep Juve waiting for a definite place in next year's Champions League.