From the words of the Dutch coach emerges the dissatisfaction of the Dutch winger, who for now is still on the fringes of Conti’s project
A new chapter is added, indirectly controversial, on the discontent of Napoli players with Antonio Conte’s working methods. This time it is Noa Lang who expresses doubts, through the words of Ronald Koeman. The Netherlands coach spoke at the conference about a conversation he had with the player two months ago. “I stay in touch. In September I sat down with him and asked him how things are going in Italy. Then he told me: ‘Twenty-eight days of training camp and I haven’t seen a ball.’ It’s a real change for a player, and you have to grit your teeth. But it’s not so bad if they see it and have to do it.” Some doubts certainly arise regarding the full veracity of these words. Napoli did not complete 28 days of training camp between Dimaro (17-27 July) and Castel di Sangro (30 July-14 August). Furthermore, it is known that friendly matches were played and it is difficult to believe that no type of technical-tactical work was carried out during the sessions of that period. However, Lang’s lack of satisfaction remains.
on the bench
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In his specific case, we can think above all about the little use that Conte has been making of it since the beginning of the year. 223 minutes in 11 appearances, of which only one as a starter against Lecce in the championship. A week earlier, Napoli had suffered one of the worst defeats of recent times against PSV – the Dutchman’s former team – in the Champions League. On that occasion, Lang had complained about the situation without mincing words. “Every player wants to play. I don’t know what else to do. It’s better not to say anything. I signed a contract here and I have to accept it as it is. I have no other choice. I only spoke to Conte once.” The coach’s choice to field four permanent midfielders – rather than relying on the 4-3-3 – is inevitably penalizing him, but it is equally true that the impact so far has been relative. And it is precisely from this that the winger will have to start, to change the dynamics of his complicated relationship with the coach.
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