Juventus vs Lazio preview - Conte wants seven in a row

Posted Wednesday, April 11, 2012 by PA

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has urged his players to win all of their remaining seven Serie A games - starting against Champions League hopefuls Lazio on Wednesday.

The Bianconeri go into the encounter in Turin unbeaten this season and holding a one-point lead over AC Milan at the top of the standings.

Juve took advantage of AC Milan's 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina by beating Palermo 2-0 on Saturday to return to the summit.

"Our aims will not change from here until the end of the season," Conte said. "We must win all of our remaining games and that's that.

"We are in good shape and we want to play our cards right, without having any regrets.

"It's clear that we are in contention for the Scudetto and we will try until the end.

"But I don't think the end result will change our opinion as we can only define our season as extraordinary."

Juventus have scored 12 goals and conceded none in their last four league games.

Lazio coach Edy Reja is aware of the task that awaits his players.

"It's going to be a beautiful game," he said. "Juventus are going through a fantastic spell that has seen them return to lead Serie A.

"Juventus have character, temperament and quality. They have everything.

"Juventus are favourites, but we will face them without fear."

Last weekend's 3-1 triumph over Napoli allowed Lazio to move back into third place and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

The result - Lazio's second win in three games - lifted them three points clear of Udinese.

The visitors must overcome the absence of defender Andrea Dias, who is out with a thigh problem, while the team's top scorer Miroslav Klose is still sidelined through a muscular injury.