ROME (AFP) - Juventus's French forward David Trezeguet admitted Thursday that the team needs to improve if they are to have any chance of challenging for the Serie A title next season.

In their first season back in the top flight, Juve have surprised many people by spending the entire season among the front-runners, even though they have no realistic chance of landing the title due to their 13-point deficit to leaders Inter Milan.

In many respects it has been a successful season for a team that was ripped apart when relegated to Serie B, and stripped of their last two Scudetto crowns, for their role in the match-fixing scandal that stunned Italian football two years ago.

But Trezeguet, the second highest scorer in the league this season, has higher ambitions than that.

"The positive thing about this season has been our mental strength, our desire to do well," he told the Juventus website.

"We've shown we're a very competitive team but when you play for a team like this you want more.

"If we want to challenge for the Scudetto next season we need to improve and the important thing is that everyone is aware of that.

"With time we need to work on getting back to the highest level."

Juve face an important test on Saturday to see just how far they have come this season when they travel to the San Siro to tackle Inter Milan in the 'Derby of Italy'.

Third-placed Juve still believe they can catch Roma for second place and automatic entry into the group stages of next season's Champions League.

But there is still a danger that Fiorentina and AC Milan below could nudge them out of Europe's premier competition altogether.

"Both teams need the points. Yesterday (Wednesday) we were lucky in the sense that the other teams around us (Roma, Fiorentina and Milan) all lost," added Trezegol, as he is known in Turin.

"Motivation will be very important in this match, going to the San Siro in front of a sell-out crowd, playing the champions.

"It will also be an extra motivation to see if we can beat the best team in Serie A in a one-off match.

"We're not looking for a draw. We're going to Milan without any fear of losing and looking to put them under pressure.

"Inter are a really strong team but we're Juve and out of respect for ourselves and our fans we'll look to shake up the championship a little bit.

"Winning at their ground would have a special taste.

"As for who wins the title, I'd prefer Roma to win it (rather than Inter) as I believe they have a more spectacular style of play."

Trezeguet was once again left out of France coach Raymond Domenech's latest squad to play England in a friendly next week.

It is a disappointment that the former Monaco forward has become accustomed to under Domenech's reign.

"Domenech has made his choice and I'm not part of his plans for this project with regards Euro 2008, but I don't get worked up about it," added the striker.

"I respect his choice but I'm just thinking about my team and I hope to keep doing well for Juve.

"In the national team he's building a group of young players with a few experienced ones and I think that will work well.

"I'm not part of that group, that's clear, but I'm ok with that. I've already won everything possible with the national team so I'm at peace with that.