Conte applauds rivalry jibe with Napoli

Juventus coach Antonio Conte feels Napoli should be proud that other clubs dislike them as it shows they are being taken seriously.



Bianconeri midfielder Claudio Marchisio revealed earlier this week that he does not like Napoli, but Conte says the Italy international's comments should be taken as a compliment.



"Marchisio was obviously referring to the sporting rivalry between Juventus and Napoli. It is only normal to have a certain rivalry between big clubs. They probably feel the same about us," he told a press conference.



"Napoli should be proud to have our antipathy rather than get upset about it as it means that they have joined the group of big clubs of Juventus, Inter and AC Milan that have certain feelings of rivalry."



Conte, 45, then looked ahead to this weekend's Serie A match against Parma, and insisted that the Bianconeri will do their utmost to return to winning ways in the league.



"We’re determined to get back on course in the championship following last weekend’s reverse. I’m sure we’ll see a good game, contested by two sides who will both be pushing for the win.



"Parma go into the encounter on the back of four straight successes and have yet to lose a game at home. We know it’s a difficult venue to go to and that they will want to put on a good show."



Juventus lead the Serie A with 44 points from 19 games.

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Juv boss given 10-month ban

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has been banned for 10 months after an investigation into match-fixing.

Last year Conte, 43, led the club to the Serie A title in his first season in charge without losing a single game. He was accused of failing to report alleged match-fixing involving former club Siena in the 2010-11 season.



Conte, whose assistant coach Angelo Alessio was also banned, is set to appeal the decision and Juventus said both retained their full support.

Charges against Conte of direct involvement in match-fixing were dismissed last month, but the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said it was satisfied Conte was aware it was taking place during his time with Siena.

Conte had a plea bargain deal rejected by the FIGC earlier this month. He put forward a proposal which would have seen him serve a three-month suspension and pay a fine of 200,000 euros.

The federation has now confirmed the 10-month sanction.

Police had previously said Conte was being investigated on suspicion of sporting fraud and fraudulent association over allegations concerning a match between his Serie B side Siena and Novara in April 2011.

In addition to the ban for Alessio, who was Conte's assistant at Siena, former Lecce president Giovanni Semeraro and ex-Grosseto president Piero Camilli are also facing suspensions.

"Juventus reiterates its full support for Antonio Conte and Angelo Alessio in the hope the next stage of the process will finally prove their innocence," read a Juventus statement.

"A group of legal professionals have been appointed by the individuals concerned and, with the full support of the club, is already working to prepare grounds for an appeal."

case

• The action followed the launch of a match-fixing task force last June in response to a number of high-profile cases.

• Former Atalanta captain and Italy midfielder Cristiano Doni was banned for three-and-a-half years in August 2011 for his part in the 'Calcioscommesse' scandal involving Serie B matches last season. He was also arrested in December 2011 over match-fixing and betting allegations.

• In addition, former Lazio and Italy striker Giuseppe Signori was banned for five years and 15 other players were banned for between one and five years for their parts.

Grosseto and Lecce have both been excluded from Serie B, the Italian second tier, for the 2012-13 season for their part in the scandal of direct involvement in match-fixing. Both clubs have been relegated to Lega Pro, which covers Italy's third and fourth divisions.

Six other players - Leonardo Bonucci, Simone Pepe, Marco di Vaio, Salvatore Masiello, Daniele Padelli and Giuseppe Vives - have been acquitted of the charges against them.

In May, police searched more than 30 homes, including those of players, trainers and administrators of clubs in Serie A, Serie B and the lower divisions.

Lazio captain Stefano Mauri, 32, was held along with former Genoa midfielder Omar Milanetto, while officers visited Italy's pre-Euro 2012 training camp to question left-back Domenico Criscito, 25.



Five people were also arrested in Hungary on suspicion of being part of an illegal international betting ring.

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Conte backs Juve to shine in Champions League

Juventus coach Antonio Conte is confident his side can return to the European elite following their Scudetto triumph.



The 42-year-old coach is delighted with the support that his team are enjoying and admitted that the club are determined to become a major force in European football again



The Bianconeri are back in the Champions League after winning their first Serie A crown since 2003 thanks to an impressive unbeaten campaign.



"All this excitement, which was also seen last year, is what pushes us to go forward and win things for our fans," Conte told reporters at the club's Chatillon training camp.



"We want to put Juventus back where they belong. Last season, we put the club back at the top of Italian football. Now we hope to return to the top of Europe and the world."



Juventus are preparing for their first official match of the season against Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana on Saturday.

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Conte satisfied with Juve squad

Juventus coach Antonio Conte is pleased with how his squad looks, but he is still eager to add another player during the transfer window.



Juve won the Scudetto after finishing the 2011-12 Serie A season undefeated, but Conte is not ready to rest on his laurels.



"I'm happy with the players who have joined us. There is perfect harmony within the squad, but there is still more work to be done," Conte said at a press conference.



The 42-year-old then heaped praise on new signing Lucio, who joined the Turin club from Inter Milan on a free transfer.



"Lucio is a top player, and is a great professional who was immediately committed to our project," Conte said.



Conte added his thoughts on the ongoing Scommessopoli scandal, praising the investigators for ousting the perpetrators from Italian football.



"It's an ugly affair. But even in the darkest and most painful moments I've always had great respect and great trust in who is conducting the investigation," he said.



"I told the truth that I maintain was absolutely credible. In 42 years, my life has been credible. The club, the president and the fans know what kind of person I am. I’m calm and I cleared everything up, point by point."



Conte also spoke about the influence that Alessandro Del Piero will continue to have on Juve despite the veteran player leaving the club at the end of last season.



"Del Piero will always be present with us. It is odd that he isn't actually with us after so many years, as he, along with Gigi Buffon, were the historical elements of the squad," he said.



"I thank him for what he did last season and in his entire career at Juventus. I wish him all of the luck in the world."

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