Antonio Conte brushed away suggestions that his team is the only one capable of wresting the title from AC Milan as Juventus prepare to host Cagliari on Sunday.
The Old Lady of Turin are level with Milan at the top of the table and will be hoping to secure that distinction all to themselves if Inter can take something out of the Milan derby on Sunday night.
But Conte says it is too early even to tag Milan as certain title challengers.
"We don't consider ourselves the anti-Milan. They're favourites but we're not the only competition," he said.
"Right behind us there are other teams that can have their say but our mission is to keep fighting for prestigious objectives.
"The Juve-Milan title fight is a media invention because it's too early to make judgements given we haven't even reached the midway point in the season yet."
The most important thing for Conte has been re-establishing Juve as a major power in Italian football following two seasons in which they finished seventh.
Two years ago they set records for the number of matches lost and goals conceded while last season they even missed out on a Europa League place.
"We want to consolidate what we're doing, that's the step we've fixed for ourselves," said Conte.
"We're no longer the surprise package and that's pleasing. Our opponents have realised that they have to play the game of their lives against us. We've rediscovered our credibility."
However, although Juve have proved themselves to be one of the big boys again, Conte is wary of his players getting complacent.
And he doesn't want them to get caught up in the Milan derby fever that has gripped the country.
"I'm not thinking about the derby, my first thought is winning against Cagliari which won't be easy because they're in great form," he said.
"Here everyone thinks a victory is a given but nothing is a formality.
"I want us to go clear, tomorrow (Sunday) at 5pm I want us to be alone at the top of the table with a three-point lead over Milan (who play later) and then we'll see what happens."
As for new signing Marco Borriello, Conte said he is not yet ready to start a match but he backed his player despite fan dissent.
Fans held up a banner at Lecce last weekend attacking the striker over their perception that he turned down the club a year and a half ago when he joined Roma from Milan.
"I understand the fan because he's a fan. Having said that both myself and the club have done everything we can to explain that Borriello never turned down Juve.
"Borriello is my player and I'm convinced that there will be cohesion against Cagliari, also from off the pitch."
Source: AFP
