Antonio Conte Reflects On Napoli's Late Equaliser Against Roma In Serie A Clash

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Antonio Conte expressed disappointment after his team conceded a late equaliser against Roma, missing a chance to extend their lead in the Scudetto race. Napoli could have gone five points clear at the top of Serie A, following Inter's 1-1 draw with AC Milan earlier that day. Leonardo Spinazzola scored early for Napoli, but Roma's Angelino volleyed home in stoppage time to secure a point.

Despite the frustration of losing two points, Napoli's seven-point haul from challenging matches against Atalanta, Juventus, and Roma was praised by Conte. "These things happen," he noted, emphasising the growth process for his players. He acknowledged the importance of learning from details that make a difference in games.

Conte also highlighted the impact of the transfer window on team stability. Napoli sold Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain last month, adding to the challenges. "I've seen that the transfer deadline has been moved to February 3," Conte said, describing it as an absurd period for coaches due to its destabilising effect.

Roma's ability to score late goals has been notable since the start of the 2020-21 season. They have netted more goals from the 90th minute onwards than any other Serie A team, with a total of 28. This resilience was evident in their match against Napoli, where they secured a crucial point with Angelino's late strike.

The Stadio Olimpico has been a fortress for Roma, winning seven consecutive matches there before facing Napoli. Despite this challenging environment, Conte remained optimistic about his team's progress and improvement over time.

Conte's Perspective on Team Development

Conte reflected on the match outcome positively despite leaving with a bitter taste. "A draw away to Roma is not a bad result," he stated during a press conference. He noted Roma's enthusiastic celebration after their equaliser as an indication of Napoli's significant progress this season.

The former Chelsea and Tottenham manager stressed that such experiences are part of his team's development journey. He remains content with their current performance and gradual improvement under his guidance.

As Napoli continues their campaign, they aim to learn from these experiences and focus on refining their game strategy. The team is determined to address minor details that can influence match outcomes significantly.