Napoli secured a crucial 2-0 away victory against AC Milan at San Siro, with goals from Romelu Lukaku and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia propelling them to the top of the Serie A table. The win puts Napoli seven points clear of Inter and eight ahead of Juventus, sparking discussions about their title chances.
Manager Antonio Conte addressed the media after the match, touching on various topics including Napoli’s unexpected success, their objectives for the season, and the team’s development under his leadership. Conte was candid about Napoli’s current position, stating, “No one is hiding here, and we’re not playing hide and seek. We see what we’re doing this year. After ten rounds, we’re doing something incredible and unexpected. Not even the craziest person could have imagined this, but we remain humble and grounded.”
The experienced coach acknowledged the weight of expectations that come with his reputation: “I have broad shoulders; responsibilities were given to me regardless. I have a name and a career, and I think I’ve accomplished something during this career.”
Despite their impressive start, Conte emphasized that the team’s primary goal remains securing European football for next season. “At the beginning of the year, our objective was to return to Europe. Napoli isn’t playing in European competitions this year, so if we can enter through the main door, that’s a bonus. But five or six other teams have the same idea.” He added, “We’re starting from behind. Last year, we finished forty-one points behind the leaders. We’re trying to fuel the dreams of our fans. Naples is a passionate environment, and we need to maintain balance.”
Conte expressed pride in the team’s rapid development: “What makes me proud is that in four months, we’ve created a solid group where we think with ‘we’ and not ‘I’. It’s one of the best groups I’ve had in my career.” He also highlighted the challenges of preparing for big matches with limited time: “We prepared for this game with just one training session, having played on Saturday. I thank the staff and the people who are constantly stressed. I demand a lot from myself and from others.”
While acknowledging the team’s current success, Conte remained cautious about long-term predictions: “I think it would be incredible to win in Naples. We’ve given ourselves a three-year timeframe, but no one should forget how last year ended. We’re rebuilding something, but it takes time.” He concluded by emphasizing the ongoing nature of their project: “The ‘Work in Progress’ sign is up and will remain. I reiterate: Napoli, like Milan, has changed coaches and started a new journey. The difference between us and them is that they gave us a 22-point gap last year.”
