Conte proud of Scudetto challenge

6 May 2012 04:25

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has told his players that they should be proud that they are even challenging for the Scudetto this season.

The former midfielder took over as the club's head coach last summer and has immediately changed the fortunes of the Turin outfit after two consecutive seventh-placed finishes in Serie A.

Juve currently hold a one-point lead over AC Milan at the summit of the league with two games to go and face a tricky trip to face Cagliari on Sunday evening, a game the side are desperate to win.

"We are back to experiencing these high-profile games and I think that is the most positive aspect of all," Conte said.

"All of this is thanks to the work done by the club, the staff and the players. We should be full of pride to be challenging for the Scudetto with two rounds to go and that must motivate us even more

"Fortunately, I have experience of going through completely opposing experiences. I've been trailing at the last 90 minutes and on another occasion out in front.

"Football always brings new sensations and what counts is the present. We want to achieve something super-extraordinary. I always say to win you need head, heart and legs, in that order."

The team are looking to return to winning ways after a late Gianluigi Buffon mistake allowed Lecce to earn a 1-1 draw midweek, and Conte believes they have put the result behind them.

"At this stage we have such a strong unity within the team that we only need a glance to understand each other," Conte said.

"It is important for me to understand how everyone is feeling and I don't see why anything should change tomorrow. After the Lecce game, everyone wanted to get straight back on to the pitch and play again.

"That was a heavy blow, but it only fuels our desire to make up for it and cancel out what happened on Wednesday night. The lads are ready and have belief, they know this is an historic moment.

"We can put ourselves in the Juventus history books and I doubt I need to do anything to motivate my men. If anything, I might have to hold them back."

Juventus are still without a league defeat this term, winning 21 and drawing 15 of their 36 Serie A encounters.