Football Italia
·18 August 2024
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·18 August 2024
Napoli wing-back Pasquale Mazzocchi confirmed that Antonio Conte got angry with his players in the dressing room after their 3-0 loss away to Hellas Verona on Sunday, but explained that the coach went on to critique the performance ‘intelligently’.
Napoli were handed a humiliating blow by Verona on Sunday evening, conceding three second-half goals after losing star man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia moments before the half-time whistle.
The Paretnopei were poor on the night, but Conte feels that the club could still add up to four new signings before the end of the transfer window, which could improve the situation among the playing squad.
Mazzocchi, like Conte, said that the most important thing is to express the team’s apologies to the club’s supporters.
“It’s going to be a bad trip home,” Mazzocchi said in his post-match press conference.
“The important thing is to apologise to the fans. In the second half, we needed to be more nasty on the pitch. But it’s only the first match of the season and we can’t let ourselves get too worried.”
He confirmed that Conte was not best pleased with his players’ showing after the full-time whistle.
“The coach got angry, but then he analysed the matter intelligently. He told us that we all have to give more.
“There were some positive signs in the first half. In the second, there were definitely some problems that we will continue to analyse with the coach during the week.”
Napoli will be back in action next weekend, against Bologna in Serie A for their first home match of the new league season. Kick-off is set for 19.45 BST next Sunday.