Juventus assistant manager Angelo Alessio has heaped praise on banned boss Antonio Conte after they opened up a three-point gap in Serie A with a 2-0 triumph over Napoli.
Alessio, who returned to the touchline after the ban for his involvement in the betting scandal was overturned, was delighted to see substitutes Martin Caceres and Paul Pogba score the matchwinning goals in the top-of-the-table clash.
There has been reports that Napoli demanded the FIGC check Juventus Stadium for ‘secret tunnels’ where the banned Conte (who must watch all games from the stands without contact, but can train the side) could get messages through to the touchline, but the Old Lady assistant brushed that off and heaped praise on the manager.
“Clearly Antonio is the Coach in every sense,” Alessio said. “We have alternated in this great staff, but the Coach remains paramount. I pointed towards the box because it was important to feel united at that moment.
“So far we have won seven games and drawn one, have the best attack and now the best defence, so the statistics are clear. We were even without Gigi Buffon and Mirko Vucinic, but those who played gave their all.
“We think and of course hope that Buffon and Vucinic will be fit for the Champions League. We knew Napoli were dangerous on the counter-attack and so we prepared for that, ensuring we were not caught out.”