Pirlo: Juventus can achieve important goals

The former AC Milan midfield star has hailed the Bianconeri coach as a "great motivator" and believes he has been key to the side's return to form this season.Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo has heaped praise on his coach Antonio Conte, highlighting the 42-year-old's motivational skills.Conte returned to the club he represented over 300 times as a player in the summer, prompting an upturn in the Turin outfit's fortunes and leading them to an unbeaten start to the 2011-12 Serie A season.Pirlo believes that the former Siena boss' influence has been key to their impressive form, and has been important to Claudio Marchisio's reinvention."Conte is a great coach a great motivator. He has left a great mark on the club. We follow him completely, because we are sure that by following him, we can achieve important goals," Pirlo told Sky Italia."Marchisio was good before, but did not play in his best position. Now he has matured and plays in a midfield three, where he shows his best qualities."Juventus face Roma on Monday night, and Pirlo admits that he is unsure as to whether his international colleague Daniele De Rossi will extend his stay at the Stadio Olimpico.Pirlo added: "He's a friend, we often see each other in the national team, and we have spoken. He will decide according to his desire whether he wants to continue with Roma, or go to another great team."Honestly, this is a totally personal choice."Juventus and Roma kick at 19:45 GMT on Monday night, and a victory would send the Turin club back to the summit of Serie A.