UDINE, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Frank Anguissa of Napoli celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between Udinese and Napoli at Stadio Friuli on December 14, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and David Neres reveal what Antonio Conte said to revitalise the Napoli squad for their comeback win away to Udinese. ‘He made us realise we are a great team.’
The Partenopei needed a boost after suffering back-to-back defeats to Lazio that eliminated them from the Coppa Italia and knocked them off the top of the Serie A table, especially as leaders Atalanta had already won 1-0 earlier this afternoon away to Cagliari.
They were trailing 1-0 at half-time in Udine, as Florian Thauvin’s penalty was parried by Alex Meret, but the veteran managed to score on the rebound.
Napoli turned it around after the restart with Romelu Lukaku, a Lautaro Giannetti own goal caused by the strong David Neres run and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa.
Napoli rebooted by Anguissa and David Neres
The midfielder was asked what Conte had said to prompt such a massive shift in performance during the half-time break.
“The coach made us realise we are a great team and we must all do more. We gave it our all and we won, so this proves that even when we concede a goal, we can score several and win the game,” Anguissa told DAZN.
“We just need to prove that we are a great side, take it one game at a time and not think about Atalanta or whoever is on top. We are concentrated only on ourselves, that is what really matters.”
David Neres had only his second Serie A start of the season, having made his name as a super-sub for Napoli, and was stepping in for the injured Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
“I am very happy to have helped the team, the most important thing was the three points, even if we could’ve done better in the first half,” Neres told DAZN.
Although the second goal was not credited to him because of the Giannetti shinned clearance into the net, Neres certainly wreaked havoc in the Udinese penalty area with his strong run.
When he was substituted, Neres went to hug Conte on the touchline, so does he see this as a turning point for his Napoli experience?
“I don’t think this is a turning point, I just want to prove that I am ready every time I am called upon, both physically and above all mentally.”
Senegal
