Conte lashes out at 'provincial' Garcia remarks

MILAN, April 27, 2014 (AFP) - Juventus coach Antonio Conte has lashed out at "provincial" remarks by Rudi Garcia after the Roma handler suggested smaller teams in Italy's Serie A virtually accept defeat to the Turin giants before kick-off.

Roma have been pushing Juventus all season for the scudetto and with three games remaining are only five points adrift, although Juventus can restore their eight-point cushion with a win away to struggling Sassuolo on Monday.

Garcia stoked the embers prior to his side's 2-0 home win over Milan on Friday when he questioned whether Sassuolo would field their best side, while claiming other 'smaller' teams were happy "if they only lost 1-0" to Juventus.

Ahead of Monday's clash, an angry-loking Conte was quick to hit back at the remarks when he told reporters: "They're provincial, whichever way you look at it.

"I was surprised by Garcia's remarks. If we file them along with the ones that claim that other teams help us, then we can also categorise them as 'bar talk'.

"I don't think other teams have waited for Garcia to arrive in Serie A to find the motivation to play us.

"Don't forget, for years any team we've played against has prepared to play the game of their lives."

Garcia had said of Sassuolo prior to Friday's win: "I hope they field their best side. I don't expect to see their best players on the bench or hear things like, 'It was good we only lost 1-0', as I've already heard after other teams' defeats at Juventus Stadium."

Conte added: "I think Garcia has shown a total lack of respect, to coaches, players and also to the fans.

"How would the (away) fans who travel to Juventus Stadium feel if they knew their team wasn't going out to give their maximum?"

Sassuolo, one of several teams fighting for their top flight survival, will remain fourth from bottom and just above the drop zone even if they concede defeat to Juve on Monday.

A shock defeat for Juve would open up the title race, although a win would virtually end Roma's hopes of overcoming an eight-point deficit with three games remaining -- including the Roma v Juve clash on May 9, the penultimate round of the season.

Conte added: "It's an important game, fundamental, as a win would allow us to put one hand on the scudetto.

"It won't be easy because Sassuolo are fighting for their survival, so we have to remain vigilant.

"But we go there to focus on achieving our main objective, which is securing the scudetto."