Antonio Conte Expresses Satisfaction With Napoli's Strong Response To Recent Setbacks

Add as a preferred source on Google

Antonio Conte expressed satisfaction as Napoli secured a 1-0 victory over Torino in Serie A. This win followed their previous success against Roma, helping them recover from a 3-0 defeat by Atalanta and a 1-1 draw with Inter. Scott McTominay's goal was crucial in maintaining their momentum.

Despite recent setbacks, Napoli remains at the top of the league, leading by four points. They have now defeated Torino 52 times in Serie A, with only Lazio having more losses to them. "I have a group of guys who really understand when I ask them to improve," Conte stated during a press conference.

The Partenopei have shown strong defensive capabilities this season. They achieved nine clean sheets in their first 14 games, a feat they previously accomplished in the 1969/70, 1970/71, and 2021/22 seasons. Only Juventus has done better in the current Big-5 European championships with ten clean sheets.

Conte praised his players for their maturity against Torino. He acknowledged Torino as a formidable opponent and shared his concerns before the match due to his long association with Turin. "Torino are a great team. I was really afraid of this game," he admitted.

Scott McTominay made a significant impact by scoring the decisive goal in the 31st minute. Conte highlighted McTominay's journey from Manchester United to Napoli, noting his quality and willingness to join despite not playing in Europe. "He is a boy who was not a protagonist at [Manchester] United," Conte said.

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Torino's goalkeeper, displayed exceptional skills throughout the match. He made crucial saves against Romelu Lukaku and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia early on, keeping Napoli at bay until McTominay's breakthrough.

Future Prospects for Napoli

Conte emphasised the need for reinforcements if Napoli aims to compete in Europe next season. He pointed out that other teams have strengthened their squads for European commitments. "The president must know that," he stated regarding potential squad enhancements.

The coach acknowledged that while they currently manage with 21 outfield players, competing on multiple fronts would require additional resources. Despite these challenges, Conte remains optimistic about Napoli's progress and potential return to European competitions.