Antonio ConteNapoli coach, spoke at a press conference from the Maradona Stadium after the 3-1 victory over Como.
9.25pm - The press conference begins.
We saw a completely different team in the second half: what chords did it touch?
“Let’s say that we started off really strong because we scored almost immediately even in a very nice, well-studied situation. Maybe the goal made us a little bit satisfied, I wouldn’t say satisfied, but we tried to manage the pace since we train a lot to play at an intense pace. In the first half we conceded three dangerous shots outside the area and we certainly could have done better. At the break we also changed a little on a tactical level because they created too much superiority in our second line with our three midfielders, and we then managed to be more compact. , aggressive and to manage the ball in the right way and to win the game in a deserved way. Against an excellent team, I also told you in the conference: perhaps it is the team that was better than all at the moment. What I liked , which I told the boys at the end of the match, is that a really important second half was played on a character, personality and tactical level. They were very good, I liked it. We won more duels, we fought more. In the first half, however, I saw that Como had won 22 and we had only 8. Let’s say that the whole trend of the second half has changed a bit and this pleases me because in the difficulties… Conceding the goal at the end of the first half could have kill us, instead there was a great response and it means that the kids are growing, in terms of personality, of beliefs”.k
What did he say to the fourth man about the Kvara-Moreno contact
“I didn’t say anything but I got very angry, then in fact the referee warned me. I’m sorry because it bothers me when I get a yellow. Those are situations on the pitch, then they told me that VAR can’t intervene, they are decisions the referee’s decisions so I respect them. What left me a little more perplexed: last week there were two other sensational situations where the VAR should have intervened and didn’t. But it’s okay, we move forward, we need to be more strong in all situations.”
Sixteen points in seven days, how nice is it to enjoy the lead during the break?
“Very sincerely. Then for those who know me, they know very well that before the break, even for those around me, my family, it becomes vital for me to take the break with a good victory. Otherwise it’s two weeks of ups and downs. So being successful to bring home another victory, while still putting sixteen points in our ranking, must make us continue and understand that the work and path undertaken are right, always keeping our feet on the ground, but this is a humble group of guys. Last year’s suffering brought some negative consequences, but at the same time there are also some positive things it brought. We want to try to continue, knowing that if they had asked me six months ago I would certainly have signed.”
Did you notice certain chants from the audience? There is a dream in the heart that is continuous here: did you appreciate this thing in the environment?
“What I appreciate about the environment is that regardless of the players, coaches, owners, Napoli has always had strong passion and warmth towards its team. So we have the opportunity and the privilege of having them on our side and this must make us responsible moreover, a positive responsibility, knowing that this union is very important. What I only ask of the Neapolitan fans is not to be influenced by the result, what they have to see every single match is that the players leave the field with sweaty shirts, without. regrets and recriminations. Then you know very well that only one team wins and it doesn’t mean that all the others lose. Everyone must understand and know where we start from, what our objectives are and what our path will be. We absolutely don’t want to close ourselves off , I tell the kids to open up to this enthusiasm of the people, to this passion. It can only be good for us. It’s a positive responsibility and I feel it a lot and I try to pass it on to the kids too because it’s an extra boost. Today in the second half we had a strong push.”
In 63 minutes Neres collected three assists and a goal, when will we see him more present on the pitch?
“What’s holding you back at the moment is the issue of balance. You know very well that teams must always be balanced, this is important for us. As far as David is concerned: he’s growing exponentially, what we’ve had to work on is bringing him back from an important physical, tactical and condition point of view. David has had some ups and downs in recent years, last year he wasn’t a starter for Benfica. I’m trying to get some points with him too, also to try to stimulate him. He has important characteristics on an offensive level and in the last period I have seen that he is also applying himself a lot on a defensive level. This can only please me. What Neres did today does nothing but raise the level of competitiveness and competition. even at the level of the kids themselves. Here it’s not like it’s written on a board ‘these guys have to play’, absolutely. But I’m also saying that whoever is playing is doing their duty. I also experienced Politano at Inter in a brief period and then we gave him away to Napoli: he is a player that I found much more grown up and mature. From all points of view: desire, self-sacrifice, from a tactical and sacrifice point of view, this leaves me very calm. I spoke in the conference that I would like to give Gilmour more space, then you see Lobotka and say stop for a moment (laughs, ed.)… But believe me Gilmour is a top player. But they are all growing a little: Ngonge himself, I didn’t give him minutes today, but they are players who are all growing through work. And this makes me happy, because they know that I won’t give anything to anyone, at the same time it doesn’t say anywhere that someone plays by force and someone else doesn’t. As long as they give me the right guarantees on the pitch, certain players will continue to play. But David scored a goal today and could have scored another, he injured an opposing player. Having an impact like he has, a coach also takes this into consideration: finding players who come in during the match and have such an important impact becomes devastating for us. Having said that, I hope that David will be able to start playing from the first minute as soon as possible.”
9.40pm. – The press conference ends.
