The Napoli coach is very happy with the team’s performance in the emergency: “Compactness and spirit”. De Laurentiis on social media: “Great evening, the Condottiero at the helm”
Satisfaction is almost impossible to hide, for Antonio Conte. Happiness is palpable even in a composed attitude, after Juventus’ success. For which, in any case, the coach takes no credit. “Congratulations must be paid to the players and we must continue to say thank you, thank you, thank you. In a moment of great difficulty in terms of numbers we are doing incredible things, those who play always respond with a great sense of responsibility. The boys have grown a lot and this fills me with pride, they feel what we are doing and they have understood the particular period we are going through. The responses are incredible”, said the coach with sincere admiration. Not even Aurelio De Laurentiis hid his joy. “A great evening, extraordinary fans and the Condottiero leading a magnificent team. Forza Napoli Always!” the president wrote on X.
VIRTUE IN THE MIDDLE
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The midfield, the department most in emergency due to the many injuries, is exemplary from this point of view, according to Conte. “McTominay certainly, like everyone else, is doing something important and extraordinary in terms of awareness of the situation, responsibility and growth. You can see it in everyone. Elmas gave a level performance with Scott in the middle of the pitch, this was practically the first time in the middle of the pitch, besides Cagliari in the Italian Cup, because before I had used him as a number ten or as a winger. It’s difficult to find the words. We played against Atalanta, Qarabag, Roma, Cagliari and Juventus, teams strong, while we were in an emergency situation. I am amazed by the enthusiasm and energy that the team is putting into it. Now we have to rest because Benfica awaits us and we will try to prepare them more on the board, we have to recover our energy.”
THE KEY
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The application in the non-possession phase enhanced the collective’s performance. The attitude was courageous, without ever retreating. “In every match there are different phases, the boys know very well that if we can press high we must do so. By doing so, we prevent the opponents from turning the ball over and having points of reference. However, I think that defending by running forward makes us suffer fewer risks, we took two shots of which one was the goal. The match was played with tactical rigor and important plays, which we prepare in the few days available” continued Conte.
INFIRMARY
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When asked about possible recoveries for the Champions League match, the coach ruled out returns among those unavailable. Starting with Lobotka, whose problem is slightly more serious than expected. “No one recovers for Lisbon. Stanislav had a muscle injury, he will recover in 10-15 days. It’s a particular year, I had him rested with Cagliari to avoid similar eventualities and then instead he felt some discomfort in the bull. We are finding solutions and credit for this must also be given to my staff who are working in an important way, and obviously also to the players: there is enthusiasm, compactness, spirit, desire to be united especially in this difficult situation. Perhaps it is better to continue this emergency” concluded the Napoli coach jokingly.
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