Antonio Conte has affirmed his intention to go all the way in this season’s Coppa Italia competition. The Bianconeri are preparing to entertain Roma in the quarter-finals, and the manager insists the desire and spirit that have characterised the club’s championship form will also be present tomorrow night at Juventus Stadium.*
Speaking from a press conference, the 42-year-old began: “It’s a competition in which we want to go forward. We’ll give our utmost to get through to the next round, whilst remaining aware of the difficulties that could lie ahead.”
Conte will be forced to shuffle his pack for the visit of the Giallorossi after Claudio Marchisio and Simone Pepe limped off during the 2-0 win over Atalanta. But the manager also confirmed that he will use the occasion to rotate the squad and cast his eye over those who have figured less throughout this campaign.*
“We’ll definitely change certain things around,” he stated. *“Both due to injury situation and to give the opportunity to those who have played less. So we’ll look to do what we possibly can - given that we only have five defenders and the same amount of midfielders - to hand an important chance to those who have deserved it.”*
The injury situation, coupled with their impressive displays in Bergamo, will see midfield duo Emanuele Giaccherini and Luca Marrone stake their claim for places Conte’s starting line-up.*
“Marchisio’s replacement needs to have similar characteristics,” he added. “I think that Giaccherini appears the most likely, for the way in which he breaks forward and the quality he shows. Then there’s Marrone - a player who is developing in a remarkable manner. He could also step in for Pirlo when required, he’s capable of covering all three midfield roles.”*
After a faltering start to the season, tomorrow’s visitors Roma now find themselves in a hot streak of form. Luis Enrique has steered his men to five consecutive victories which have lifted them back into the running for a European spot.
“Roma are doing very well,” concluded Conte. “They have their own identity and a precise idea of how they want to play. Luis Enrique’s doing an excellent job.”*
Source: Juventus.com
Buy on AliExpress.com