On the eve of tomorrow's match between Napoli and Udinese at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Antonio Conte addressed several topics in his pre-match press conference, ranging from the transfer market to the team's ambitions, and the importance of the club's facilities.
Putting aside the transfer market controversy, the Italian coach reiterated his approach: working with what you have and helping the team grow . "Where I've been, the club has grown. Football evolves, and you always have to study and improve ," Conte said, emphasizing that the priority is not spending millions on the transfer market, but creating a solid foundation for the future.
Among his ideas, the need for a premier training center stands out : "We need to build a home for Napoli, a youth academy that doesn't exist today. Rather than thinking of investing €50-60 million in a player, we need to focus on adequate facilities and the future of the club."
Conte on the market: "No controversy, I work with what I have"
Despite the media attention on the incoming deals, Conte made it clear he wasn't disappointed: "I'm not angry about those who didn't arrive. The goal is to get the most out of those who are here." He then took stock of the latest signings and the injured players: " Buongiorno is improving, but right now Juan Jesus is higher up the pecking order . "
"Billing is a serious player who is starting to get used to Napoli's work methodology. Okafor , on the other hand, isn't yet in top form and will have limited playing time." Speaking about the match against Udinese, Conte highlighted the characteristics of his opponents: "They're a physical, well-structured team, with players over 1.90 meters tall who can cause problems on the counterattack ," but he firmly reiterated: "Fear isn't part of our vocabulary, but there's always great respect."
Finally, Conte commented on Inter's defeat in Florence, clarifying that his team must not get distracted: "I tell the boys to focus only on ourselves. Our journey began in July, and I don't know where it will take us, but we must live it with serenity."
