Conte: 'If Napoli don't win...'

Antonio Conte insists there’s more pressure on Napoli than Juventus. “If Rafa Benitez doesn’t win the Scudetto, he’ll have achieved nothing.”

The Bianconeri host Napoli in a title showdown on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.

“It is certainly an important challenge, just as they were against Inter, Milan and Fiorentina, and will be against Roma,” said the Coach in his Press conference.

“The game tomorrow became important thanks to our victory away to Parma, which was worth three points just as this will be. If we beat Napoli and then don’t do the same to Livorno, then it won’t make much difference to our season. Every game is the game of our lives.

“Nobody is starting out looking for a draw. As always, I say that I hope the winner is the one who expressed the best football.”

Rafa Benitez continually says his Napoli side are at “75 per cent” of their capabilities right now.

“He says that and yet Napoli are level with us and three points from leaders Roma. I can only imagine that when they reach 100 per cent it will be a domination,” added Conte.

“I hope that Benitez realises this year that if he doesn’t win the Scudetto, he’ll have achieved nothing. We are already at 100 per cent and moving rapidly, so this is why I worry at Benitez’s words.”

There are injury problems for Juventus, as Giorgio Chiellini and Martin Caceres are carrying knocks after the 2-2 draw with Real Madrid.

“We’ll see about Chiellini today, but there isn’t much optimism. Without Caceres we are forced to go back to a three-man defence, which has become more of a necessity than a choice.

“I am not disappointed that Carlos Tevez isn’t called up for international duty with Argentina, as that way he can rest and train with us.”

Gonzalo Higuain had been close to joining Juventus before he opted for Napoli over the summer.

“Both Higuain and Tevez could’ve come to us, it’s not as if one would’ve taken away from the other,” added Conte.

“They are both formidable strikers, though maybe Higuain is more of a target man, whereas Carlos likes to provide assists for his teammates.”