Juve hard to beat: Benitez

Former Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez says Juventus will be hard to stop for this season’s Serie A title.

The Turin outfit have made a great start in the league and they top the table on goal difference from Udinese five matches in, after finishing seventh for the last two seasons.

Benitez conceded Juventus are looking much better this season, and he said not competing in Europe would be beneficial for Antonio Conte’s men.

“The best teams, especially AC Milan and Inter, have not been doing things as well as they used to,” Benitez told Eurosport.

“Juventus have a better chance than the rest. They are coached by Antonio Conte, who knows the club’s philosophy, the fans and the market, because he used to be a player.”

“When you are at a club, you want to play in every competition. When you cannot do that, the only thing left is to do your best in the competition you are in.”

Benitez went on to praise Andrea Pirlo, who has been in great form for Juve since his arrival from AC Milan in the off-season.

“Pirlo is a key player,” Benitez said. “He can control the game very well and he is certainly a crucial piece in any team.”

The league leaders head to Verona on Sunday to take on Chievo, hoping to preserve their unbeaten start to the campaign.