Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has heaped praise on coach Maurizio Sarri during the club's Christmas dinner.

Juve are currently trailing Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

But Agnelli declared: “This summer, when we went around with [sporting director Fabio] Paratici and [Vice-President Pavel] Nedved to try to understand what was going to be the Juve of the future, one person listened to us and believed in us.

“At the first press conference, he recalled the ferocity and desire we wanted. You've had the same ferocity and desire in wanting Juventus, Maurizio.

“Maurizio, you have taken on a tough and difficult challenge, but together, we know we can win."

Sarri replied he was “glad to have accepted this challenge" and that he felt it was "an obligation" for the Bianconeri to win the Scudetto.

“Clearly, this is an important challenge for me, it immediately became difficult when I accepted because I arrived at a team and a club that has won a lot.

“Carving out an important page of history in a club that's so rich in history is difficult for anyone. We want to continue winning in Italy and be competitive in Europe.

“In Italy, we feel it's almost an obligation to win the Scudetto. In Europe we don't feel like that, but we feel it's a great challenge to make all the people at Juventus happy.

“It won't be easy, but I'm glad to be here and to have accepted this challenge."