Conte to respond to Totti’s provocation with facts on pitch

Milan, Jan 5 (IANS) Juventus head coach Antonio Conte said his side will respond to Francesco Totti's "pub talk provocation" with facts on the pitch when they face off Sunday night.

Juventus are heading into the clash at home five points clear of Roma who remain unbeaten this season, reports Xinhua.

Conte chose not to get involved in a verbal exchange with Roma captain Totti and midfielder Daniele De Rossi who stoked flames this week by suggesting their team was "better" than Juve.

"When there is pub talk provocation, you have to take it as a joke and relax," said Conte.

"I don't want to respond to Totti and De Rossi's comments, as I am accustomed to responding on the pitch. In the last two and a half years we gave a very clear response on the pitch."

"It seems to me that in Italy the controversy in the papers has more importance than what happens in a match situation. Instead, words are swept away on the air and facts are all that matter," he said. 

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