Juventus were contemplating their first ever campaign in the second division after being banished to Serie B with a nine-point penalty for their involvement in the furore. Many big names departed for pastures new and the future looked awfully bleak for Italy's most successful and best-supported club.

But following a swift promotion - masterminded by former Juve player Didier Deschamps before he fell out with the club and quit - a major boardroom overhaul and a host of new signings, 'La Vecchia Signora' is back on her feet and ready to reclaim her place at the top of Serie A.

Gone are the two architects of Juventus' web of corruption - general manager Luciano Moggi and director Antonio Giraudo - while on the pitch several new players have been drafted in.

Claudio Ranieri has replaced Deschamps as coach, while Italian World Cup striker Vincenzo Iaquinta and Portuguese midfielder Tiago are among an influx of reinforcements.

John Elkann, heir to FIAT, the Italian car manufacturing giant which own Juventus, insists the Turin club are stronger than ever after putting their house in order.

"Being in Serie B was tough and it would have been better had we been able to avoid it - nobody enjoyed a season in purgatory," he said.

"Now we are back in Serie A with a clear conscience and strong squad - on the pitch and off it."

Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli predicted the club would make life difficult for their main rivals, Inter and AC Milan.

"We will make sure we give everyone a hard time, and as always we will play to win every fixture," he said.

"In Ranieri we have a great, experienced coach and I am more than satisfied with the signings we have made. It's been a real team effort, with (CEO Jean-Claude) Blanc and (sporting director Alessio) Secco the main protagonists. Blanc is very good in transfer dealings, he's like a poker player."

Expectations are high at Juventus after a summer makeover but Ranieri, who guided Parma to survival on the last day of the Serie A season, warned the club's fans not to expect miracles.

"We have a burning desire for victory - it's in the DNA of this club," said the former Chelsea manager.

"First we'll try to demonstrate it domestically, and then in Europe. I can guarantee I will tell my players the one thing I have always said in my career - I don't care who we're playing, I just want to win.

"But the fans must understand that rebuilding a squad and returning it to its past glories will take some time."

As well as bringing in several new faces, Juve managed to hold onto World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, French striker David Trezeguet and Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved who will provide some much-needed experience as they navigate their way back in the big time.

While Italy were celebrating World Cup victory last year, Juventus hit their nadir.

But twelve months is a long time in football, and with a nip here and a tuck there, the Old Lady is starting to look glamorous again.