Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has claimed that his side had become complacent in the league prior to their 4-2 defeat to Fiorentina in October.
The result remains the Bianconeri’s only league defeat of the current season and since then they have embarked on a nine-game winning streak and now sit five points clear in first place.
“We were certainly a tad presumptuous due to the fact that we had won [the title] for the past two years, and that slap in the face has definitely done us good,” Bonucci told viewers of Filo Diretto, a programme broadcast on Juventus’ official TV channel.
“Regarding the criticism that was aimed at us, we know that at Juventus, when something doesn’t go right, you’re lambasted, so we had to try to close ranks and take no notice of what others were saying.”
Juventus return from the winter break on Sunday with a crucial match against second-placed Roma. If they win, they will extend their lead to eight points.
“In recent years Roma has definitely done worse than what is expected of them, but this year they are back at the top of the standings,” Bonucci added.
“They will certainly do everything to throw a spanner in the works of a Juventus team which until now has proven to be a real juggernaut.”
