Roma’s Kevin Strootman (left) fights for the ball with Udinese’s Andrea Lazzari during their Serie A match on Sunday.

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has tipped his hat to Serie A leaders Roma in recognition of the Giallorossi’s “extraordinary” campaign so far.

Roma beat Udinese 1-0 on Sunday to equal the record of nine successive victories at the start of the season set by Fabio Capello’s Juventus in the 2005-06 campaign.

The result in Udine saw Roma, who host bottom side Chievo on Thursday, go five points clear of both Napoli and reigning champions Juventus.

Rudi Garcia’s troops have been in impervious form and they boast the best defence and attack in the division, with 23 goals scored and just one conceded.

“One thing that is certain is that Garcia’s side is doing something extraordinary,” Conte told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We have to compliment Roma because they are overshadowing the good work that my team and Napoli is doing.

“Napoli’s numbers are also very good with seven wins, a draw and just one defeat.”

Napoli beat Torino 2-0 last time out to keep up the pressure on Roma.

They will now look to end Fiorentina’s unbeaten home run tomorrow.

The Viola won 2-1 at Chievo at the weekend and stand fifth.

Juventus, who are level on 22 points with Napoli, face an easier task when they welcome strugglers Catania to Turin.

Catania have lost all of their games away from Sicily this season.

Inter halted a three-match winless run with a 4-2 triumph over Verona on Saturday to climb to fourth place.

The Nerazzurri have yet to lose on the road and make the short journey to Bergamo to face Atalanta tonight.

Verona will look to bounce back from their reverse at Inter when they square off against Sampdoria.

Andrea Mandorlini’s men have reason to be confident as they have won all of their games in Verona so far.

Milan seek home comfort when they take on Lazio at the San Siro.

Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Parma dropped Milan to 10th place, 16 points adrift of Roma.

The Rossoneri have won three of their four games at the San Siro and take on a Lazio side that, like Milan, has yet to win away from home this season.

Parma will be hoping in-form midfielder Marco Parolo can pick up where he left off in Sunday’s game against Milan when his team visits Genoa in midweek.

Parolo struck twice against the Rossoneri to hand the Gialloblu their third victory of the campaign.

Torino coach Giampiero Ventura will be under pressure heading into tomorrow’s game at Livorno with his side having failed to win any of its last five games.

Fixtures
Today: 20.45 Atalanta vs Inter.
Tomorrow: 20.45 Cagliari vs Bologna; Fiorentina vs Napoli; Genoa vs Parma; Juventus vs Catania; Livorno vs Torino; Milan vs Lazio; Sassuolo vs Udinese; Verona vs Sampdoria.
Thursday: 20.45 Roma vs Chievo.