NAPLES – Antonio Conte didn't show up at the Castel Volturno training center today for Napoli's resumption of training. The club is calm: it's a three-day leave of absence, they explained in a statement, that was agreed upon some time ago. Yet the coach's absence comes at a time when every detail seems to weigh twice as much, following the defeat in Bologna and the discontent surrounding the team.
Tale, who has chosen to spend a few days with his family in Turin, will return to manage the team only at the beginning of next week, coinciding with the return of the internationals. But the timing inevitably fuels some suspicion, especially after the coach's post-match outburst and the message from Aurelio De Laurentiis, forced to deny the rumours of his resignation that circulated in the hours following the defeat at the Dall'Ara.
From Castel Volturno, they reiterate their complete faith in the coach and the club's support. However, the burden of the crisis is being felt: the understanding between the team and the coach appears fragile, and the schedule leaves little room for respite. Between the league and the cups, the upcoming fixtures—Atalanta, Roma, Juventus, Qarabag, Benfica, and Cagliari in the Coppa Italia—will be the test of whether Conte's Napoli can bounce back or risk imploding.
Comments (1)
It's strange that Conte didn't go to the training center, and as we know, the three-day leave had already been agreed upon, but perhaps a little more communication was needed. The team needs unity now.