Conte worried by Mancini factor

By Football Italia staff

Juventus boss Antonio Conte has conceded that he would have preferred to take on Galatasaray without Roberto Mancini as his opposite number.

The latter was confirmed as the Turkish club’s new Coach on Monday following the decision to replace Fatih Terim.

“I’m happy for Mancini, but I would have preferred to not meet him tomorrow because he will create problems for us,” Conte stated ahead of the Champions League clash.

“With his arrival we will have no tactical reference points with regards to how they will play and that will make things more difficult for us.”

Wednesday’s game at the Juventus Stadium is already crucial for both sides as Juve drew their opener 1-1 in Copenhagen, while Galatasaray were demolished 6-1 at home by Real Madrid.

“The match between Galatasaray and Real Madrid is one that should not fool us,” the tactician added. “The final score was excessive.

“We didn’t take our chances against the Danes. It was one of those days. We have to play well against Galatasaray.

“We’ll look to score in a number of different ways, even with long-range efforts. The important thing is to create chances.

“We have to play with an intense rhythm and we’ll do our all to win – even if we know it will be tough. That’s why I want our fans to be a twelfth man tomorrow. I want our supporters to be heard.”

Turning to team matters, Conte has doubts over the fitness of Carlos Tevez after he suffered an ankle problem in the derby win over Torino.

The former midfielder will also have to decide whether Paul Pogba or Claudio Marchisio will make up the midfield alongside Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal.

“I’ll take a look at Tevez over the following hours. He didn’t train yesterday. I need precise guarantees, we’ll see how he is between now and tomorrow.

“Mirko Vucinic? He has been suffering with a heel problem, but he has recovered and is doing well. I’ll see tomorrow whether he will start.

“Pogba or Marchisio? It’s a doubt I will look to solve by evaluating things well. The final score will tell me whether I was right or wrong.”

Conte was also inevitably asked about his post-match comments following the derby win, ones which annoyed Toro.

“I don’t think there is anything to add. Juve have won the Scudetto twice and two Super Cups in the last two years, so it is normal that I become sort of a catalyst when I say trivial things, normal things based on facts.

“It is not a problem, it has happened in the past and it will happen in the future. I’ll continue down my own path and say the things which I believe.”

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