Conte urges Juve focus

23 February 2013 15:34

Juventus coach Antonio Conte says his side must treat their next 13 Serie A matches like World Cup finals if they are to retain their title.

Last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Roma saw Juve's lead at the top of Serie A cut to four points, and Conte has called on the supporters to act as the 12th man in the title run-in.

"We need to play 13 World Cup finals and dropping points could prove costly," Conte told the club's official website.

"Now is the time to urge the team on in the way they did last year and have done on certain occasions this season."

Juventus' next clash is against Conte's former side, Siena, and the 43-year-old warned his troops not to underestimate the in-form Tuscans, despite their lowly standing in the table.

"Siena will put us under pressure. They're in excellent form and have conceded just three goals in their last five games," he said.

"They produced comprehensive wins over Inter and Lazio and were only beaten in Udine by a goal on the counter.

"They've got a good mentality, strong work ethic and an excellent coach in (Giuseppe) Iachini. People might say it looks straightforward on paper, but that certainly won't be the case."