Conte concerned with Inter class

Juventus manager Antonio Conte remains wary of Inter Milan’s ‘champions’ ahead of their Serie A clash on Sunday.

Claudio Ranieri’s Inter are reeling in eighth having won only once in nine league game as well as crashing out of the Champions League to Marseille.

However, Conte said it would be naive to expect Sunday’s ‘Derby d’Italia’ to be an easy encounter with Inter desperate to get their season back on track and snap Juventus’ 32-game unbeaten streak.

“When you face great champions you should always have respect and be very careful, because a champion can make the difference at any moment,” Conte said.

“I don’t think Inter will come to Turin to be a lamb to the slaughter.

“It’s a very important game for Inter suppporters too. This week the club made it clear to the players the game is very important for them.

“They have champions who can put in a great performance and don’t forget that we’re still unbeaten and everyone is tempted by the chance to break our 32-game unbeaten record.”

Juventus won 2-1 when the sides met at the San Siro in October, a result that bookended a run that included only two wins in Inter’s first nine matches.

The Milan giants arrested that slump with nine wins in 10 games but have fallen once more while Juventus need a win to cut the gap to leaders AC Milan back to four points.

“Inter were favourites to win the league at the beginning of the season,” Conte said.

“They have an excellent squad full of very important players. Just have a look at tomorrow’s line-up.

“Seven out of 11 of their players were part of last season’s team and that side won the Coppa Italia, ended the season in second place and two years ago won three titles. They were extraordinary.

“I have a great respect for their team and their club because they’ve done extraordinary things in the past,” he said.