Antonio Conte Looks Forward To Cesc Fabregas Reunion As Napoli Faces Como In Serie A

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Napoli manager Antonio Conte is eager to face his former player, Cesc Fabregas, as they prepare to meet as opposing coaches in Friday's Serie A clash against Como. Under Conte's leadership, Napoli has ascended to the top of Serie A for the first time since their 2022-23 Scudetto victory, amassing 13 points from six matches, placing them just ahead of Juventus.

Both Napoli and newly promoted Como have secured seven points from their last three games. Como currently sits in the top half of the table. Conte previously collaborated with Como's coach, Fabregas, at Chelsea. The Spaniard was instrumental in midfield during Chelsea's Premier League triumph in 2017 and FA Cup win in 2018.

Conte expressed admiration for Fabregas' coaching journey, stating, "His journey is developing quickly; it's been great to see so far. He's proving that he's very prepared in every aspect." He added that he always believed Fabregas had the potential to become a coach due to his inquisitive nature on the field.

Romelu Lukaku, another former Chelsea player, joined Conte at Napoli in August. Since then, he has scored two league goals and provided two assists. Conte mentioned that Lukaku is still working towards peak physical fitness but is beginning to match his teammates' workload. "He's working hard and starting to handle the same workload as his team-mates," said Conte.

Conte highlighted Lukaku's unique physical requirements, noting that specific training is necessary for him. Despite this, Lukaku is integrating well into the team and consistently makes an impact on the field. "He's perfectly integrated into the team," Conte remarked.

Napoli's Growth and Ambitions

Despite their strong start, Conte emphasised that Napoli is still evolving as a team. Many expect them to challenge for the Scudetto this season. "Like everyone, we're working to keep improving in all areas," he stated. This includes tactical enhancements and better decision-making.

Conte acknowledged that there is room for improvement across various aspects of their game. However, he sees progress not only tactically but also in terms of character and determination among his players.

As Napoli continues its campaign under Conte's guidance, they aim to maintain their momentum while refining their strategies and strengthening their squad dynamics.