Conte: Cup semi-final crucial to Juve

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has described Tuesday's Italian Cup semi-final second-leg against AC Milan as "the most important game of the year", as Juve chase a first trophy since 2003. "This is the most important game of the year so far," Conte said at a press conference on the eve of the match in Turin. "But after tomorrow (Tuesday) I am expecting to experience some even more important matches, as that would mean that we have made it through to the final. "The Italian Cup is one of only two competitions in which we are competing this season and going through would keep us in with a chance of lifting a trophy," added Conte, whose side won 2-1 in the first-leg at the San Siro last month. Conte also confirmed that veteran Alessandro Del Piero, now 37, will start the match. Juve are still unbeaten in Serie A after 28 games this season but sit second, four points behind leaders Milan.