Conte content despite stalemate

Juventus manager Antonio Conte said their 1-1 draw with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday was a satisfactory result.

The hosts were missing a number of players through a combination of suspension and injury but they went ahead after just six minutes through Daniele De Rossi.

Juve levelled midway through the second half via the head of Giorgio Chiellini, before the home side had a gilt-edged opportunity to reclaim the lead but Francesco Totti saw his spot-kick saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

As a result, Conte was pleased with his players for having accrued a point which has moved them back to the top of the Serie A table, ahead of Udinese on goal difference.

“We created a lot and if people think that we have to win all the time, it means that our stock is rising,” the Juve coach told Sky Sport Italia.

“I am satisfied; the boys have again given me their all.”

“Our first half was good. After six minutes a mistake gave Roma the lead, but then we did well to react, to find the right balance.”

“In the middle of the second half, however, we got lost and we did not control the game. We had to be cooler and more rational.”

“However, looking at the standings, I must continue to say that we are doing very well, beyond expectation.”

Although he was unhappy with the concession of an early goal, Conte refused to point any fingers at his defenders.

“The De Rossi goal? When you concede goals, there is always a defensive error and we will analyse it,” he said.

Up next for Juve is a home game against Novara, before they travel to the Stadio Friuli just before the winter break for an eagerly-awaited showdown with surprise Scudetto challengers Udinese.