Napoli manager Antonio Conte addressed the media ahead of his team’s upcoming Serie A match against Empoli, tempering expectations despite the club’s impressive start to the season. The former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss emphasized that Napoli is still in a rebuilding phase, cautioning against premature excitement.
“We are still very much a work in progress,” Conte began. “It can’t be any other way after only three months, otherwise we’d be undervaluing the entire journey that needs to be undertaken in a reconstruction phase like ours. There’s certainly satisfaction with our work – we’re working hard and well, with a group of players who are eager to put in the effort, and that’s what matters most.”
The Italian tactician expressed concern about the heightened enthusiasm surrounding the team during the recent international break. “I’ve sensed too much exaltation, and fortunately, we’re returning to play. These have been 15 days of excessive excitement, considering only seven matchdays have passed. We’re pleased to restart from our current position, but we’re well aware that the table is tight, with many teams packed within just four points. We need to be adept at restarting in the right manner.”
Conte provided updates on key players, including goalkeeper Alex Meret and striker Romelu Lukaku. Regarding Meret, he stated, “Alex is close to returning, but there are too many risks for the Empoli match, and I see no reason to take them. Caprile is proving to be a goalkeeper we can rely on, so there’s no need to rush a situation that can be managed calmly.”
On Lukaku, Conte was particularly effusive: “Romelu is a player who feels an enormous amount of responsibility, perhaps too much. He’s someone who shifts the balance, as you’ve seen. He’s now starting to feel good both physically and mentally. He needs to have a clear mind and leave all the responsibility to me. He’s generous and should focus on doing what he does best. He’s in good shape and ready to go.”
The manager also addressed the absence of midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, confirming that Billy Gilmour would step in as his replacement. “Regarding Gilmour, I can tell you that I train all the players. He knows what I want from him, and we’ve prepared him for these situations. In terms of football, little changes because they have similar characteristics. If Gilmour weren’t in the squad, the situation would be different.”
Conte concluded by touching on the condition of Mathías Olivera, who recently returned from international duty. “Olivera has returned and had his first training session with us. Naturally, he came back a bit fatigued. Today he returned and completed the entire training session. He’s still a bit tired, also due to the long and demanding journey. However, we have valid alternatives.”
