Juventus have Conte's characteristics, says Jugovic

15-Mar-2013 5:05:00 AM

The 43-year-old says the Old Lady have displayed the same desire and strength as their current leader

Ex-Juventus midfielder Vladimir Jugovic believes his former club share the same on-field characteristics as coach Antonio Conte.

The reigning Serie A champions are on course to retain their league crown - boasting a nine-point lead over second-placed Napoli - and booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 5-0 aggregate win over Celtic.

And having watched their progress at close quarters this season, Bianconeri legend Jugovic praised the personality of the team and the work of Conte.

“You can see that this side is bossed by Antonio Conte," he told Tuttosport.

“The team has his characteristics, they resemble him, it’s the same as he is. They never give up and that is fundamental in a competition like the Champions League.”

The 43-year-old scored a penalty in Juventus' 1996 triumph over Ajax and he is already dreaming of seeing the Old Lady reach another Champions League final, while hailing their progress in the competition so far this season.

He added: “To get to the last eight is a great achievement. And their group wasn’t easy, given that it included Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk.

“Juve came ahead of everyone, they were not content with second place and that is a great sign of strength."

And 13 years after firing the club to European glory, Jugovic cheekily added his desire to accompany the team if they were to reach the final of the tournament at Wembley in May.

“I’d like to be there with the team. I hope that president Andrea Agnelli remembers me. I’d love to be there, perhaps to celebrate another feat.”