Inter Napoli, Conte: “They are stronger, but we go to San Siro to stay first”

Castel Volturno — “We won’t wave the white flag at the Meazza. We’re coming in first in the standings and we want to stay there.” With these words, Antonio Conte, Napoli coach, lights up the eve of Sunday night's big match against Inter, the former team with which he won a Scudetto in 2021. Conte knows well how important this challenge is to maintain the top of the standings and to consolidate the ambitions of a Napoli that aims high.

It is since 2014 that Tale he doesn't face the Nerazzurri and, returning to San Siro, brings back many significant episodes and memories. “It always has a certain effect to return to where you have worked hard. They were two intense and happy years: in the first we came in second and lost the Europa League final, in the second we won the title,” said the technician, visibly moved. “It was an important experience, and bringing Napoli to this pitch, as top of the table, makes the challenge even more special.”

Shortly before leaving for Los Angeles, President Aurelio De Laurentiis wanted to reiterate to the fans not to focus exclusively on the Scudetto, but to also look at the European goals. Conte, however, chose not to comment directly on the president's words: “Whatever he said, a technician should not comment. The president is in charge of everything and it is right that he expresses his thoughts, I simply follow his indications.”

Conte on Lukaku: “His growth depends on that of the team”

For Conte, the match against Inter represents much more than a three-point game. “We are facing a team that today, for everything it has shown, is the strongest,” acknowledged the coach. However, Conte stressed that Napoli will not go to San Siro to passively suffer: "We are not going there to be sparring partners. We will play our game, aware of our strength and the importance of maintaining the first position in the rankings."

Among the hottest issues is the one related to Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian striker who has so far struggled to fully convince. Conte, however, defends the player and prefers to shift the attention to the group: “In every press conference there is always a question about Lukaku. The growth of an individual depends on that of the team. It is not right to reduce our ambitions to a single player: the value of a team is always collective.”

In midfield, Conte is banking on the return of Lobotka, who should provide solidity and order. “The value of Lobotka is indisputable,” Conte said, but also praised Gilmour's performances, underlining the importance of having valid alternatives: “I will never hear myself complaining about absences. We have a squad that allows us to face even the most difficult situations, and I have full confidence in each of my players.”

Conte: “Analysed the Atalanta defeat, it will be a lesson”

The recent defeat against Atalanta left a bit of bitterness, but Conte assures that the group has reacted positively. “We analyzed the match, evaluating the aspects on which we can improve. There is always great spirit and desire to grow, and even from a defeat you can learn important lessons,” declared the Italian coach.

Although Napoli have shown a solid defense for most of the championship, Conte knows that they need to do more in attack. "Being first in the standings does not mean stopping improving. We are working to reach a level of absolute excellence, and this objective concerns every department, including the attack," the technician concluded.