Conte rues Pirlo ban

Juventus coach Antonio Conte said Andrea Pirlo’s for Sunday’s game against Cesena due to suspension, is a vital blow.

The Turin giants could return to the top of the table if they win at home this weekend but the absence of off-season signing Pirlo will impact Juve’s approach to the fixture.

Juventus also have Giorgio Chiellini, Simone Pepe, Arturo Vidal and Leonardo Bonucci a booking away from suspension, but Conte maintains he is not worried about any upcoming suspensions.

“Pirlo is a very important player and man for this club, but whoever plays tomorrow will have my utmost faith,” the former Siena coach told reporters in his press conference.

“It’s true Pirlo is an example, but the team will play at 120 per cent to ensure he is not missed. As for the others on a yellow card, that doesn’t interest me. Cesena are worth as many points as any other, so we must win.”

Conte was also keen to play down his team’s impressive start to the season, stating that their aim was to show that the side were competitive again.

“Juventus were coming off two consecutive seventh-place finishes so it wasn’t right to put us among the Scudetto favourites,” Conte added.

“My first objective was to make Juventus competitive again, therefore to have credibility in the eyes of fans and opponents. That objective has been achieved. Now the second step is to confirm our competitive nature in the long run.”

“If we can hit that target too, then we can start to think about other ambitions.”

Juventus are the only unbeaten side in Serie A this season after winning seven and drawing five of their opening 12 league fixtures.