Antonio Conte, the head coach of Napoli, held a press conference to discuss the upcoming match against Roma, which marks Claudio Ranieri’s return as their manager. The match is set to take place at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday.
Conte emphasized the competitiveness of the league, stating, “There are many teams within just a few points. We are doing well, but so are others; no team has pulled away.” He noted that it is surprising to see certain teams in their current positions after twelve matchdays.
Regarding the clash with Roma, Conte remarked, “It’s just a football match; we are not risking our lives here.” He expressed his respect for Ranieri, saying, “I am pleased to meet Claudio again; I have great respect for him, and we share a friendship.” Conte acknowledged the challenges Roma presents, recalling that they finished ahead of Napoli last season and have made significant improvements during the transfer window.
Conte addressed recent discussions surrounding VAR decisions. He stated, “I raised a constructive discussion to build something better. After Mariani’s decision, I didn’t think there was contact with VAR. The VAR only mentioned there was contact, but football is a contact sport. If we want to talk constructively, we need to provide better assistance to referees.” He criticized the lack of clarity in VAR communications and stressed that referees should be supported rather than left to make decisions in isolation.
On the topic of Stanislav Lobotka’s absence from recent matches, Conte shared that despite missing him, Napoli has performed adequately. “In the last five matches, we won three and drew one at San Siro,” he stated. He expressed confidence in his squad’s depth and highlighted Gilmour’s readiness to step up.
Conte provided updates on players returning from international duty. “Lukaku and McTominay have trained without issues,” he confirmed. He also mentioned Olivera’s condition as they prepare for final assessments before the match.
Reflecting on Roma’s coaching change, Conte noted that such transitions often bring an emotional boost to teams. “They are on their third manager this season; it’s inevitable there will be an emotional shift,” he said. He acknowledged that while they have some understanding of Roma’s setup, there remains uncertainty about how they will approach the match.
Conte also addressed his relationship with Inter’s director Beppe Marotta. “We won’t be friends or companions on this journey; we will be rivals,” he stated humorously while acknowledging their past working relationship.
Conte praised his defenders for their improvement and highlighted Buongiorno’s potential and Rrahmani’s work ethic. He believes that defensive success relies on collective effort.
In closing, Conte expressed his support for Ranieri’s return to Roma. “I wish him all the best except in our two matches,” he said warmly.
