Conte: Juve cannot relax as rivals strengthen

The Bianconeri have won their last 11 games in Serie A but he is adamant that they will have to maintain that kind of form in order to hold off Roma and Napoli

Antonio Conte has warned his Juventus side against becoming complacent in the second half of the season, despite currently being eight points clear at the summit of Serie A.

Second-placed Roma have already strengthened their squad this month with the signing of highly-rated midfielder Radja Nainggolan from Cagliari, while third-placed Napoli are also set to spend big during the January transfer window.

Defending champions Juve are not expected to bring in any new faces, so Conte, who has masterminded a club record run of 11 straight league wins this season, including victories against Roma and Napoli, says that the Bianconeri will need to maintain their sensational in order to fend off their reinforced rivals.

"The fact that our opponents, in spite of having achieved something extraordinary, are strengthening further definitely leaves me unable to relax," he said.

"We have to keep up an extraordinary pace to maintain our position.

"That they are reinforcing is certainly not a positive thing. I also see the second half of the season as a busy schedule and therefore we must hold a lot of attention.

"Because, while I read that only we can lose the Scudetto, or that the title is already Juve's, I believe that this is said by those who have never won anything in their life.

"It is why winning is always very difficult, even when you are eight points ahead with seven weeks until the end. That has happened to me in losing and winning title races."