The Old Lady boss looking to dismantle the Italian Champions in the first-leg at San Siro; the manager hints at Marco Storari’s involvement in the game
Juventus manager, Antonio Conte, has reaffirmed his ambition to trump AC Milan on their route to the final of the Coppa Italia.
A.C Milan will host the Old Lady in first of the two-legged tie of Coppa Italia semi-final at San Siro on Wednesday, February 8.
Conte is positive about his team’s chances of winning the game despite a goalless stalemate against lowly-ranked AC Siena in the last round of matches.
The 42-year-old also admitted that he would have preferred to have drawn against a weaker opposition, but declared that his troops would give their hundrer percent in the match.
The Lecce-born manager was also realistic in his opinions, and said that it would be an evenly fought contest over the two legs.
While talking to the assembled press, Conte said:
“I actually would have preferred a weaker opponent. Let me be clear, however, that tomorrow’s match is important beyond the team we face, because it is the semi-final of the Coppa Italia. We want to reach the final, as well as
to take on Milan now. The opportunity to progress is equally spread between the two teams because playing home and away in this meeting counts for a lot in terms of performance.”
The former Atalanta boss has hinted to several team changes for the game, and insists that he would give his January signings an opportunity to prove themselves. He also hinted that Marco Storari is expected to start in place of
Gianluigi Buffon in the goal.
Conte was full of praise for the professionalism of Storari and said:
“He is playing his part in the right way and the least I can do on my part is thank him for what he is doing. He is a great professional and a great goalkeeper who is giving me a big hand on and off the field.”
The Turin boss is expecting the January signings to make an immediate impact at the Juventus Stadium.