MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 10: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 10, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 10: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 10, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Antonio Conte hailed his rivals’ performances in the Champions League and Europa League over the last few days, as he feels that Italian football has ‘grown significantly’ over the last few years, and he hopes that the Partenopei will return to the party next season.
The Partenopei tactician sat down for his customary pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon ahead of Napoli’s upcoming Serie A match away against Torino on Sunday.
Conte: ‘Italian football has grown significantly’
Conte feels that it is important not to ‘underestimate’ victories, regardless of who they come up against, as he feels that Serie A is one of the most competitive leagues in Europe.
He pointed to examples from this week’s round of European fixtures to show how strong Serie A football is at the moment. Seven of the eight Italian teams competing in UEFA competitions this season went undefeated in the most recent round of fixtures.
“The European games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday have confirmed that we’re starting to see a very high tactical and technical level in Italy, otherwise you don’t impose yourself in the way that Inter and Atalanta did, or Juve at Aston Villa, because I know how tough that ground is,” Conte told the press.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Diego Carlos of Aston Villa fouls Michele Di Gregorio of Juventus, before Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa goes on to score a goal which is later ruled out following a VAR Review, during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Aston Villa FC and Juventus at Villa Park on November 27, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)avl
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Diego Carlos of Aston Villa fouls Michele Di Gregorio of Juventus, before Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa goes on to score a goal which is later ruled out following a VAR Review, during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Aston Villa FC and Juventus at Villa Park on November 27, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)avl
“Milan, too, and not forgetting Roma. It makes me think that victories are underestimated. Roma are a great team, they showed it at Tottenham’s home, who I also know very well and have a squad that is in contention to fight for the Premier League.
“Fiorentina and Lazio there as well, Italian football has grown significantly and now it has to demonstrate it against strong teams in Europe. Congratulations to them all, it’s part of a journey that we would like to add to tomorrow.”
Conte predicts when Serie A title race will drop off: ‘It will start to stretch out’
Conte on Napoli-Torino and Kvaratskhelia
Conte also provided an update on his team, their key players and the form of Torino ahead of Sunday’s Serie A match.
On Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the coach said: “Khvicha is growing massively in terms of determination and desire. He was disappointed because he had two good chances to score and help us a bit more in managing the final stages, but he is a guy who really wants to grow, he is only 23.”
NAPLES, ITALY - AUGUST 25: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Serie match between Napoli and Bologna at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 25, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Napoli (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Explaining how he motivates his Napoli players, Conte added: “What I say to you and what I say to the boys is that the opposing team will never arrive after you. We have to improve significantly, in the final third, in our decision making, in our quality, the way we attack, our nastiness.
“We have been working on it for a while and this is an aspect we have to improve. But after every training session, I’m always pleased with the boys’ application. They always give 200%.”
And, on Sunday’s opponents, Torino, he said: “They’re having a difficult spell. But I have seen the losses, I’ve analysed the last six to eight matches. They starter well, then they lost Zapata through injury, who was performing at a very good level. But, they have a solid group, good guys and are comfortable in the middle of the table despite going so long without a win.
“I’ve lived in Turin, almost every Sunday I had the pleasure of going to see their games and it is an environment I know well, it’s nice and warm, strong supporters and respectful of history. We will have to be very careful, it’s a game we have to manage in the best possible way, with respect for our opponent’s quality and the atmosphere we will find ourselves in.”
Post navigation