Antonio Conte isn't having it. On the eve of the Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt, the Napoli coach put the league aside to focus all his energy on Europe. "We're putting the league on the back burner for now, and now we're focusing on the Champions League. We have a very important match tomorrow. We need to evaluate the conditions of Gilmour and Spinazzola, but I'm calm: I have a strong team mentally.", he told Sky Sport.
The coach then strongly defended the work done so far: "In three months, there's been nothing but criticism, yet we're top of the table. We've had so many problems: Lukaku out since August, De Bruyne injured, Rrahmani just back, Buongiorno struggling. Yet we're there. Some people wonder how we did it? With hard work and mentality. Anguissa, for example, has better numbers than last year."
Conte: "Napoli leading the way is a nuisance. Fans should stay united."
Tale He also rejected the controversy over the goals that the attack is lacking: "You attack with eleven men and defend with eleven men. Someone has to score if we're first. Two games ago you said we weren't solid in defense, now we're complaining about the attack. You always look at the glass half empty."
On a tactical level, the coach explained his choices: “Against Inter we tried Neres up front to exploit his speed, against Como we paired him with Hojlund.
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Then an appeal to the fans: Napoli fighting for the top spots is annoying. I understand that. The players are giving it their all. The Neapolitan is a dreamer, but he must remain united. He mustn't be fooled by the rumors surrounding the team. We need to cover our ears and believe in ourselves.
Conte: "Referees? The situation is fragile, we must be cooperative."
Tale He also talked about the comparison between the European leagues: "I don't think Serie A is behind the Bundesliga. The level is similar. Only the Premier League is out of reach due to its economic power and infrastructure. In Germany, they have the advantage of playing fewer games, but Bayern are in a league of their own."
Regarding the players' physical conditions, the coach gave an update: "Lobotka has overcome the problem and should be back, Rrahmani returned against Como. Gilmour and Spinazzola have inflammation, we'll see if they recover. If they don't make it, we'll find solutions. There's no point in crying over it."
Finally, a dig at the topic of referees: "It's better not to talk about it too much. As soon as someone opens their mouth, anything can happen. Sometimes I don't understand VAR: if a referee is called to review an incident, he doesn't necessarily have to change his mind. The situation is fragile; collaboration and clarity are needed."
Comments (1)
Conte's speech seems a bit confusing to me, and I'm not sure I fully understand his ideas. It's true that Napoli are first, but there's always criticism. Let's hope the players recover quickly and that the coach finds the right solutions for the Champions League.