Pirlo cites jealousy for Juve attacks

Andrea Pirlo says Juventus are only attacked because they are among the most popular teams in the world, and are fighting for silverware.

Roma coach Zdenek Zeman has hit out at his suspended Juve counterpart Antonio Conte, while Napoli’s Walter Mazzarri claimed Juve are being favoured by match officials in the wake of the clubs’ Supercoppa Italiana clash, which Napoli lost 4-2.

“We are used to the verbal attacks. Juventus are the most popular team in the world with a lot of fans, but also with a lot of people who dislike us. It is only normal that people attack you when you are winning,” Pirlo told Tuttosport.

“Mazzarri? Typical talk of someone who lost. If you win a game, you’re happy, and you’re disappointed when you lose. That’s the way things go in football.

“Zeman? He is a rather particular coach. He is a great trainer and his teams play good, attacking football. However, off the pitch, he says some strange things every now and then. That’s apparently part of his character. We know about it and have to accept it.”

Juve begin their Serie A campaign on Saturday when they host Parma.