Leonardo Bonucci admits Juventus must win at Napoli to prove themselves, but Roma controversy “makes us stronger.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“This is a game we have to win in order to cancel out all the doubts that emerged after Doha and Inter,” the defender told Tuttosport.
Leonardo Bonucci admits Juventus must win at Napoli to prove themselves, but Roma controversy “makes us stronger.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“This is a game we have to win in order to cancel out all the doubts that emerged after Doha and Inter,” the defender told Tuttosport.
Juve have won just one of the last six competitive games and were beaten on penalties by Napoli in the Italian Super Cup in Dubai on December 22.
“We are the strongest team and must continue to prove that. Does Doha still hurt? It always hurts when there’s a trophy involved and now it’s time we won at the San Paolo.”
The Bianconeri haven’t conquered Napoli on their own turf since September 2000, so the odds are against them.
Roma have closed to within a point of the Serie A leaders, but Bonucci has a message for Rudi Garcia’s men.
“My goal is the difference between us and them. It’s pointless stirring up controversy, as at the end of the season mistakes even themselves out.
“Roma and everyone around them should concentrate on how good their team is, without wasting time thinking about what happened. Football goes on and doesn’t give points back to anyone, not even us.
“We are the best at this moment because we are one point in front. If we are at the end of the season too, then it’ll prove we are the best yet again.
“I think Roma are clinging to controversy because Juventus dominated the last few campaigns. It’s tough to fight against us, so they try to stir things up. It’s an attempt to destabilise our confidence, but instead they are making us stronger.”
Bonucci tried to explain the recent setbacks and denied suggestions Juventus are sated by three consecutive Scudetti.
“The problem if anything is that we are fully aware of our strength, which can at times make us arrogant. When we play with humility and hunger, nobody can beat us.”