Antonio Conte has demanded maximum concentration from his side ahead of the remaining five championship games. Sunday’s resounding victory over Roma saw the Bianconeri receive widespread critical acclaim for their performance, but the manager refuses to get carried away.
“Today we’ve been hailed in all the newspapers, which is right considering what we’ve done. However, this can’t change our attitude. We must always remember what has brought us to enjoy such an extraordinary campaign: humility, sacrifice, work and playing as a team unit.”
The win against the Giallorossi, coupled with Milan’s failure to overcome Bologna, sent the Bianconeri three points clear at the top of the table. And Conte understands the lead could bring a different type of pressure.
“We know we’ve got an added bonus but we’re also aware that the difficulties are still there. Yet I think we’ve got nothing to lose this year. I’m convinced that the players will give their all from here on in. We’ll end the season with no regrets.”
Tomorrow’s opponents Cesena have struggled to replicate last season’s impressive form and currently lie 14 points from safety with five fixtures remaining. But they have recently gone five games unbeaten, leaving Conte intrigued to see how his men will fare against spirited opposition on a synthetic playing surface.
“We’re curious to see how we get on tomorrow. Up until now the players have always come through significant tests, making up seven, five and one point deficits, always with the duty to win. They’ve managed to do that displaying character and maturity.”
Conte then moved on to explain the role the defence plays in contributing to the team ethos. The Bianconeri rearguard is currently the meanest in Europe after conceding just 18 goals in 33 championship games.
“The defence forms part of our style of play. The idea is to take the game to all our opponents, looking to control possession as much as possible. I think that this way of playing champions the characteristics of our defenders. Let’s not forget that the defensive unit forms part of a team, working alongside the midfielders and the strikers.”
The press conference drew to a close with an overall analysis of the team’s outstanding statistics this season, which have led the media to compare Conte to some of the managerial greats.
“Being spoken about in the same breath as the likes of Bernardini, Capello and Lippi fills me with pride. But it’s the players who go out and get results, and if they achieve an important triumph then we’ll go down in history. In the end there’s only one thing that counts: winning.”
Source: Juventus.com
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