Conte to get new Juve deal

Juventus have confirmed ahead of Sunday's match at rock-bottom Cesena that coach Antonio Conte will soon be offered a contract extension.

Conte, who joined the Turin giants last summer from Siena, is currently tied to the club until June 2013.

The former Juve captain has enjoyed a fine season at the club. They are unbeaten so far and lead the Serie A standings, one point clear of AC Milan with six games remaining and are also through to the final of the Coppa Italia against Napoli next month.

"Conte's renewal is almost automatic," Juve general director Giuseppe Marotta said.

"Conte has a relationship of respect and friendship with the club and its president Andrea Agnelli.

"He is the leader of our project. I think an agreement to extend his contract will be reached quickly."

Juve go into the encounter at the Dino Manuzzi stadium on the back of Wednesday's 2-1 triumph over Lazio, their fifth straight win.

Cesena, meanwhile, could not have asked for a worse opponent as they look to hang on for another week in Italy's top flight. The Cavallucci Marini know that a defeat on Sunday could see them relegated to Serie B.

Cesena lie 15 points adrift of safety with 18 points still up for grabs.

With only four wins collected this campaign, Mario Beretta's side have done little to defend their Serie A status. They have the worst goalscoring record in the top flight with only 19 scored in 32 games. Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Genoa was their fourth such result in a row.

"We could have done better this season," Cesena defender Yohan Benalouane said.

"We have lacked confidence and had we played earlier in the campaign with the same determination as we are displaying now, things would have been different.

"The important thing for us is to end the season in the best possible way."