Alessio pays tribute to Conte

Juventus assistant Angelo Alessio has credited suspended manager Antonio Conte for the moves behind his team’s 2-0 victory over Napoli.

The Turin club moved three points clear of second-placed Napoli with the win on Saturday, extending their unbeaten streak in Serie A to 47 matches.

The match was goalless until Juventus broke through with 10 minutes to go when Martin Caceres headed home an Andrea Pirlo corner past just moments after coming off the bench.

Fellow substitute Paul Pogba repeated the feat two minutes later with a terrific volley that gave his side the initiative in their title defence.

Conte, who recently had his touchline ban for involvement in a match-fixing scandal reduced from 10 months to four, will return to the bench in December.

“We had already chosen with Antonio Conte the possible substitutions to make before the match,” Alessio said.

“We were fully prepared for any situation, so when (Kwadwo) Asamoah asked to be substituted Caceres went on to the pitch, as it was already planned in the hotel with Antonio Conte – he is involved in the decisions.”

Alessio said Juventus were deserved winners.

“We played a great game, but Napoli too played a great game,” he said.

“We have two different ideas on football; we have great organisation and prefer to be attacking throughout, while they prefer to play on the counter attack.

“We remained focused for the whole game and dominated possession. Napoli were only really dangerous with a (Edinson) Cavani free kick in the first half.

“Those are the facts after tonight’s game and I want to give my compliments to the whole team.

“(Gianluigi) Buffon and (Mirko) Vucinic were not on the pitch but, I repeat, with our organisation any player can be decisive.”