Visualisations : 32
After finishing the first half of the season, Napoli seem to have regained their level. The credit goes, of course, to the man on the bench: Antonio Conte.
The Napoli led by Antonio Conte finishes this first part of the championship at the top of the ranking, at least for the moment, while Atalanta et l’Inter must still cover one and two matches respectively.
The numbers are impressive: 44 points, 30 goals scored and only 12 cashedaccompanied by 11 clean sheetsmaking Neapolitans the best defense in Europetied with l’Atletico Madrid.
What makes this statistic even more remarkable is that half of the goals conceded were in just two matches: defeats against Hellas Vérone and Atalanta. These two matches, as well as the meeting against Laziowere crucial turning points in the season, revealing an evolution both tactically and mentally.
Portrait of Napoli coach Antonio Conte during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and SSC Napoli at Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium in Verona, Italy on August 18, 2024 – Credit: Ettore Griffoni
Napoli, the ghosts of the past during the collapse against Verona
The trip to Bentegodi against Verona seemed like a bad déjà vu for Napoli. The 3-0 defeat was not accidental, but the result of a lackluster performance both offensively and defensively.
This meeting revealed all the limits of the previous seasonwith a team lacking ideas and suffering from the aggressiveness of the Verona players. For Conte, this match was a wake-up call: it was clear that Napoli needed to establish solid defensive foundations to plan an ambitious season.
It seems like centuries ago, but it’s only been a few months. It is precisely from these ruins that Conte began to shape his Napoli.
Atalanta and the need for change
The second notable defeat came against Atalanta, another 3-0 that highlighted the team’s offensive weaknesses. Despite a better structured defense, the Neapolitans lacked solutions in the opposing camp.
This result, although severe, marked a turning point. Conte understood that it was not enough to lock down the defense to aspire to great things.
Among the protagonists of this change of direction, Matteo Politano played a key role: initially used as a full-back in a 5-4-1 defensive system, he was later repositioned higher up the pitch to provide a balance between attack and cover.
From this defeat, Conte began to design a Napoli capable of being threatening without neglecting its solidity.
The cries of Marco Baroni and d’Antonio Conte (photo by Salvatore Fornelli)
The lesson of Lazio: a regained balance
Defeat against Lazio was the final wake-up call for Conte’s Napoli. The 0-1 defeat at the Maradona convinced the coach and his staff to push their ideas further, by adopting a more offensive while not neglecting the defensive phase.
From then on, the Neapolitans continued four consecutive victoriesscoring 9 goals and conceding only 2. The team is no longer content to wait, but seeks to dominate its opponents in all areas of the pitch, with adaptable behavior depending on the game situations.
The Napoli celebration with Romelu Lukaku, David Neres, Mathias Olivera and Scott McTominay (photo by Salvatore Fornelli)
A Napoli in constant evolution
Arrived at mid-season, Napoli appears to be one of the strongest teams in the championship. What is fascinating is his ability to adapt: attacking the spaces left by opponents when possible, but also retreating with organization in difficult times.
Antonio Conte transformed this team, making it able to experience each match as a dynamic balance between defense and attack.
The technician is also awaiting reinforcements during the January market to strengthen his defense and his midfield, and who knows, maybe with a few adjustments it will be possible to dream even bigger this season.
