Next 13 games are World Cup finals for Juventus, says Conte

The Bianconeri lost ground in the defence of their title against Roma last weekend, and the 43-year-old has called for focus on their remaining league matches

Antonio Conte has claimed that Juventus must treat their next 13 Serie A matches like World Cup finals if they are to retain their Scudetto crown.

Last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Roma saw the Old Lady's lead at the top of Serie A cut to four points, and their coach has called on the supporters to act as the 12th man in the title run-in.

“We need to play 13 World Cup finals and dropping points could prove costly. We’ll face a very difficult fixture tomorrow and I hope the fans take note and raise the volume at the stadium," he was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

“Now is the time to urge the team on in the way they did last year and have done on certain occasions this season."

Juventus' next clash is against Conte's former side, Siena, and the 43-year-old warned his tropps not to underestimate the in-form Tuscans, despite their lowly standing in the table.

"Siena will put us under pressure. They’re in excellent form and have conceded just three goals in their last five games," he continued.

"They produced comprehensive wins over Inter and Lazio and were only beaten in Udine by a goal on the counter.

“They've got a good mentality, strong work ethic and an excellent coach in [Giuseppe] Iachini. People might say it looks straightforward on paper, but that certainly won’t be the case.”

Conte also took the time to congratulate AC Milan and Lazio for their midweek European triumphs and felt the masses are beginning to take note of teams on the peninsula once more.

“In Italy we’re tackling the economic crisis through ideas, work, culture and focusing on developing youngsters.

"We've lost many great players, but this has brought the opportunity for coaches to bridge the gap with work and organisation. The Italian league is very competitive and we’ve displayed that in Europe.

“I’d like to congratulate Milan and Allegri on their magnificent achievement in midweek. Inter and Lazio also did extremely well. Italian teams are very well organised.

"If a foreign side lined up against Siena tomorrow, they would come up against the same difficulties that we’ll face.”