Chiellini: Juventus not thinking about Scudetto

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has insisted his team-mates are not even thinking about the possibility of securing the Scudetto this weekend.

Antonio Conte’s team could move 14 points clear at the summit with 12 left to play for should they defeat Torino and second-placed Napoli fail to beat Pescara.

But Chiellini does not believe that Walter Mazzarri’s men will be troubled on Saturday afternoon.

“We’re not thinking about the title,” he said. “We’re just keen to win our encounter because it is an important game. We shouldn’t be thinking about partying.

“I honestly don’t think that Napoli will take a false step because they have a big objective and that is to maintain second place.

“With all due respect to Pescara, who will certainly play their game, I don’t think that Napoli will have any problems.”

The Italy international pinpointed Juventus’ “defensive solidarity” as the main reason behind their sizeable lead in Serie A, but also had kind words for the work of his attacking colleagues.

“The history of the championship shows that the team which has the best defence wins,” he continued.

“The defensive solidity of a team makes the difference. But I’m not talking about two, three or four defenders, I think it is the whole team that counts, their defensive organisation.

“If I’m not mistaken, we conceded even fewer goals last season. But, this time around, we have one of the best attacks too, if not the best.”

Despite Juve’s domestic dominance, the Italians saw their UEFA Champions League campaign ended by a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich in the last eight.

But following Bayern’s 4-0 win over Barcelona in the first leg of the sides’ semi-final tie, Chiellini believes that Juventus were unfortunate to meet such strong opponents at that stage.

“That game does re-evaluate our ties against them,” he added. “They were incredible.

“We were given the worst possible team in the last eight. But we are certain that we did an excellent job and that we played against the best.”