Boum almost went bust
Jean-Alain Boumsong has admitted he found life tough at the start of his Juventus career, but claims he is now content with life in Turin.
The powerful defender joined Juve in the summer from Newcastle, but a number of early blunders hindered his progress in Serie B.
Boumsong, who also says he has been the victim of racist abuse in Italy, claims he will never erase the major error he made on his Juve debut from his memory banks.
"I will never forget my first match with Juventus," he told L'Equipe. "We conceded a draw at Rimini, partly due to me, as I made a mistake.
"After that match I was destroyed. It has been one of the worst moments of my career.
"I had just come from a more than difficult season at Newcastle, and a World Cup experience on the bench.
"The criticism of the Bianconeri fans and the local newspaper have been very difficult to experience.
"Above all after Newcastle, where the English press had been terrible with me, they considered me as the worst player of the Premier League.
"But now I believe I have found the right level for the French team.
"If coach Raymond Domenech plays me against Ukraine, I will be equal to the situation.
"I hope so much to be called. I deserve the coach to think about me.
"But if I am not part of the next list, I won't protest. I am too respectful of Raymond Domenech and the French team."