Repubblica: Conte must explain how Napoli’s "dead men" lead the league | OneFootball

Repubblica – Napoli, Conte should explain how a "team of dead men" is at the top of the league

Two return. The best Napoli and the Italian style of play. Never has the challenge between two masters of the league been so clear. The theme is set by the defeated: Gasperini, who due to suspension, leads his Roma as if from a cloud, still shaken, with Milan having just snatched the top spot from them. And the usual. Tight controls, each to their own opponent, Gasperini's doctrine response. Conte accepts it but does not succumb to it, instead, he turns it to his advantage.

It is Conte who plays his cards. Very Italian ones. And with those, he leads the match. Napoli gathers in front of its solid three-man defense, achieving a dual purpose: it dominates the game with 60 percent ball possession, controls with undisputed superiority, and does not tire because the tactic of vigilant waiting reduces the area to cover, while at the same time Roma, attacking with reckless fury even with six men, must leave spaces uncovered. It's an invitation to counterattack. Conte asks for nothing better, experiencing the silent joy of someone who knows they have set up the match well, followed the new path, with Neres and Lang still fresh from mothballs, kept closed in the wardrobe for too long, until the disaster in Bologna and his outburst of anger.

The 3-4-3 offers him obvious advantages. The back three with Beukema reevaluated on the right, Rahmani healed in the center, and Buongiorno as he hasn't been seen in a long time. They effortlessly control Pellegrini, the young Irishman Ferguson preferred over Dybala for a time despite the announced novelty of a false 9 role for Dybala, then on the left, Roma sends the faded Soulé into the arms of the superb Buongiorno. Di Lorenzo is formidable everywhere on the right.

In the center in the first half, Lobotka and McTominay are giants, the best on the field for mobility and clarity, ready, powerful, continuous construction.

Until the second half, Antonio Conte is so satisfied that he changes little or nothing. He sees Napoli, which during the week even dreamed at night, because it has happily resurfaced after the tearing injuries and dull physical condition. Neres is the punch that can knock out Roma. Twice launched deep by Hojlund, he runs free and uncatchable for Hermoso in the green meadow that aggressive but disorganized Roma leaves open. They attack too many and poorly. Cristante's face as he gives up chasing Neres is one of desperate surrender. Neres is too ruthless and fast. On the opposite side, Lang is no less for at least an hour, until the substitution.

Dybala replaces Soulé, nullified by Buongiorno. His technique is as formidable as the anxiety of someone who feels the responsibility to assert superior technique.

The entry of Politano, who can provide better protection on the right, is anticipated, nothing is left to chance because Napoli strengthens its moorings, sensing storms in the air. Neres, Napoli's X-man, seems exhausted but agrees to play the center forward role in place of Hojlund. Meanwhile, Elmas moves to the left.

This time no, Conte demands too much. Neres lying on the field is the image of someone who has given everything, too much, he is not made of steel, there is nothing left but to send in Lucca, one of the year's great exclusions, to give him the deserved rest. The entire Napoli would need it, because neither Politano nor Elmas have restored the calm security of the first half. In the hard-fought finale, Milinkovic Savic also enters with a courageous and intuitive intervention in the top class of a victory worth telling. A whispered question to Conte. At least in the film Again 2 will the mystery of autumn be revealed? How is a "team of dead men" in Bologna up there with Milan at the top of the league? If the president wants and the director succeeds, it's an Oscar-worthy film.

Carlo Gioia

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.