Antonio Conte never speaks casually. On the eve of the Champions League away match against PSV Eindhoven, the Napoli coach uses measured yet meaningful tones. "For us, the Champions League must be a learning experience ," he explained to Sky Sport. " The elite of European football are here, and we need to understand where we are and how we fit into it. It's a learning process, not a test of maturity."
Conte looks ahead pragmatically, noting that this year's Napoli is a work in progress, with new signings, injuries, and evolving tactics. "We lost to City and won against Sporting, but without last year's starting defense. No one seems to care. We're facing complex situations, but I don't want to overemphasize them: we have faith in all the players. We shouldn't overdo it or overthrow it; we need balance."
Regarding the team's tactical evolution, Conte also focused on some individuals, starting with Kevin De Bruyne, one of his key players: "He's undergoing a significant evolution. He's more involved in the game, he plays differently, more involved with the ball, yet still capable of shooting from the back of his head. We've carved out a new role for him, and he's playing it intelligently."
Conte: "McTominay to be evaluated, Hojlund out. Lucca to start."
The Italian coach is also keeping a close eye on Beukema and Lang, two players who are going through different stages of adaptation. "Beukema had an easier learning curve; he already knows Italian football and is working well. He needs to continue like this. Lang, on the other hand, is improving tactically: before he had more attacking freedom, now he needs to learn to manage different spaces and movements. He's on the right track, but he needs to keep working."
There's no shortage of concerns about the injury, with some doubts ahead of the match. "McTominay hasn't trained fully, so we'll evaluate his condition. Hojlund is out, so it'll be Lucca's turn. Against the Dutch champions, we'll need balance and concentration: we need to field a solid, compact team."
Conte concludes with a reflection that's almost a manifesto for his approach to Napoli's European campaign: "Last year we were outsiders, today we're in the cups, with new tactics and players. It takes time, trust, and patience. But every Champions League match is a lesson that helps us grow."
