Juventus coach Antonio Conte admits this season's Serie A is much more competitive than recent campaigns.

Juve are trailing AS Roma and Napoli on the table.

"I honestly did not expect such strong responses from Inter, Milan, Napoli, Roma and Fiorentina," said Conte.

"It's a testimony to those sides who are showing that you can get out of difficult situations through technical quality. It's going to be very difficult to win in Italy this season."