Troubled Inter tackle proud Juve in Serie A classic

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has replied bluntly to critics after a narrow beating of Fiorentina this week took the Bianconeri back at the top of the Serie A.After Tuesday's hard-fought 2-1 win at the Juventus Stadium, following dull draws with Chievo and Genoa, the former Juve midfielder wondered "how can a team who (this season) have never lost be in a crisis?"Juve have been under fire over a host of missed scoring opportunities, and Conte admitted that "we are not yet a great team, but we are working at it. We made major steps forward."However, he also dismissed criticism as unfair on the team and unrespectful of his men's hard work."One thing I have understood, and I even told it to my players," he said. "We have no friends."Conte also said he disliked the attitude of some fans at the club's new stadium."This is not a theatre. I want hell. And the fans must understand that they must stay close to us, mostly when the team is having difficulties. It is too easy to root (for the team) only when you are winning," he said.Juve next face a serious test on Saturday at struggling giants Inter Milan, who are aiming to rebound from a bad start into the season.The Nerazzurri have just half of Juve's 16 points, suffering four defeats from eight outings.Juve's Gianluigi Buffon is possibly back from a shoulder injury to keep goal against Diego Milito, Giampaolo Pazzini and Mauro Zarate in what the Turin newspaper La Stampa labelled "the mother of all games."Inter's defence has to take special care of Alessandro Matri, who was scored three goals in the last two games.The ninth round also joint-second Udinese and Lazio (15 points each) at home against Palermo and away to Cagliari, respectively, on Sunday.Fourth-placed Napoli, who in mid-week inflicted a first defeat on Udinese, open the weekend Saturday at Catania. Level with the Naples side on 14 points are champions AC Milan, who visit Roma the same day.In other Sunday action, Fiorentina welcome Genoa, Parma host bottom side Cesena, in-form Atalanta play at Bologna, Lecce take on Novara and Siena tackle Chievo in the noon game.