Marotta pleased to see Conte back

Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta is delighted that coach Antonio Conte will make his long-awaited comeback to the sidelines this weekend.

Conte has served a four-month ban for failing to report an instance of match-fixing during his time in charge of Siena.

The 43-year-old was initially handed a 10-month suspension for his role in the Scommessopoli scandal, but saw that term reduced by six months on appeal, and is set to make his comeback against Palermo at the weekend.

“We’ve been disappointed not to have had him in the dugout and we’re looking forward to having him back in his technical area over the coming fixtures,” Marotta told Rai Sport.

“People have given everything in his absence and that’s what makes what we’ve achieved all the more extraordinary. We’re delighted to have got through as it allows Conte to experience the Champions League.

“We mustn’t go into the Palermo game thinking about Wednesday’s match. We need to be wary, they’ve got nothing to lose and won’t need much in the way of motivation.”

Conte took charge of Juve in 2011, and guided the club to the Serie A title in his first season in Turin.