Juventus chief Jean-Claude Blanc admits he still regrets having to sell some of the club's greatest players after they were demoted to Serie B two years ago.

"These have been difficult seasons," he confessed on Juventus Channel. "At least they are behind us now.

"The worst memories I have of this time is having to let some great champions leave the club. It was a painful decision, but a necessary one."

The likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira were sold that summer, but other legends such as Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluigi Buffon, Pavel Nedved, Mauro Camoranesi and David Trezeguet remained.

"Fortunately not everyone left and those who stayed on still represent the foundations of the team today. It is above all thanks to them that we are back in the Champions League."