Conte prepared for stiff test from 'title challengers' Roma

Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte knows his side will be in for a serious challenge when they come up against Roma on Sunday.

The Nerazzurri boss held his customary pre-match press conference on Saturday ahead of the eagerly-anticipated Serie A meeting between the two sides, and was full of praise for the current run of form the Giallorossi are on.

With the two sides currently residing in the top-three in the league standings, Conte believes Roma have shown they have the quality to compete at the top end of the table this season.

“Certainly we’re talking about a strong team that is doing very, very well,” Conte said, when asked about Paulo Fonseca’s side.

“[They are] definitely among that group of teams that can fight for the Scudetto and for a Champions league place.”

The game against Roma represents the start of an intense eight day schedule for Conte and his players, with another test against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia in midweek, and then Juventus visiting in the league next Sunday.

The boss acknowledged it could prove a decisive period for his side.

“It’s unavoidable that when you play against strong teams [such as Roma, Fiorentina and Juventus], that you measure yourself against those teams,” he said.

“These are the games in which we will measure our ambitions for the season.”

He added: “This stretch of games is important, regardless of the period we play in.

“[It's] two games against good teams like Roma and Juventus that will fight for the scudetto. When you play strong teams you’re more motivated. These are the games in which you measure your strength with facts, not words.”

Having conceded just 36 goals in the league last season, the Nerazzurri have already conceded 21 in just 16 games so far this term.

Conte admitted that his side need to improve defensively over the second half of the campaign.

“In every situation it’s always the team collectively that deserves the plaudits or the criticism,” he said.

“A lot of times, when we talk of the attacking side of the game we only think of the strikers, but it’s the whole team that participates.

“Scoring lots of goals means our attacking side is great and the team is putting the strikers in a position to score. The defensive side is also a team effort.

"Last year we conceded fewer goals and we have to improve in that area.”

Sunday's game at the Stadio Olimpico gets underway at 12:30 CET.