Conte backs Borriello to impress at Juve

Juventus coach Antonio Conte hopes new loan signing Marco Borriello can do as well in Turin as former AC Milan team-mate Andrea Pirlo.

The Italy international forward has joined Juventus from Roma until the end of the season after finding first-team opportunities limited in the capital since Luis Enrique became coach at the start of the campaign.

Conte is hoping that the latest arrival at the club can make a big impact.

“We hope that Borriello can do as well as Pirlo has,” the 42-year-old told Tuttosport.

Borriello’s addition gives Juventus another option up front, and will compete with the likes of Alessandro Matri, Mirko Vucinic and Alessandro Del Piero for a starting berth.

Despite this, Conte does not feel that he has too many attacking players to select from.

“I do not understand people who talk about problems of abundance. Juve must have a great team. The players need not fear competition,” he said.

Juventus are the only unbeaten side in Serie A this campaign, and are equal with Milan on 34 points at the top.

Conte, however, feels that Massimiliano Allegri’s men have the advantage in the race for the Scudetto, and does not think the fact that the Rossoneri are also in the Champions League gives Juventus any benefit.

“They have something extra: staff and players that are more accustomed to fighting for the championship. But there is also Inter, Udinese, Napoli and Lazio,” he said.

“The cup (competitions) are not a burden. In my career I won the league three times and also reached the final of the Champions League in the same season.”