Napoli: Conte dismisses rumours, says team and I are united | OneFootball

Conte after Napoli–Atalanta 3-1: “Total emergency, but the group is with me. We need unity to overcome obstacles.” Antonio Conte comments to Sky Sport, DAZN and in the press conference on Napoli’s victory over Atalanta. It was a tough evening, not just because of the result: the issue of injuries still dominates his remarks. “The latest blow with Anguissa forced us to reflect: we’re really down to very few in midfield. Elmas is a utility player and is doing everything, but in terms of roles we only have Lobotka and McTominay, plus Vergara who is a young attacking midfielder. We’re making a virtue out of necessity.”

On the technical side, Conte acknowledges that the first half was one of the best of the season: “We played at a very high tempo, with energy and electricity. The Maradona was buzzing, there was positivity, a driving atmosphere. In the second half, the goal we conceded made us a bit anxious and we could have managed the ball better, but a bit of suffering is necessary.”

To those who talk about problems in the locker room, Conte responds without filters: “It’s just talk. The team was with me, is with me, and will always be with me, and I with them. We have a strong and straightforward relationship. I don’t wear masks, I say things as they are. After Bologna I took responsibility because maybe I wasn’t getting the best out of the team, but this is the reality: we had Anguissa out for ten weeks, along with De Bruyne, Lukaku, Gilmour, Spinazzola. And in a short time you also have to change the formation because you don’t have midfielders. These are the real problems. The rest is gossip.”

The coach appreciates the impact of the fans and his team’s attitude: “There was electricity, a drive we hadn’t felt in a while. In the first half we were clearly superior. Atalanta is a strong team, they’ve been in the Champions League for years and won the Europa League. This win is huge.”

On Lukaku’s return: “He’s started training again but separately, he needs to be monitored. He had a serious injury. Just seeing him back with the group is important. He and Anguissa are leaders, positive guys who bring energy. Their absence is felt even off the pitch.”

The coach jokes about his bond with Oriali at the end: “I care about him too much to advise him to become a coach. If I don’t like someone, though, I recommend it (laughs).” In the press conference, Conte wraps it up: “I let the facts speak for me. I’m not interested in talk. Today we won a tough match against a great team. There was a bit of anxiety in the second half, but I liked everything. We have to stay united: last year, unity allowed this environment to achieve something extraordinary. And now that’s exactly what we need.” But the schedule doesn’t wait: “On Tuesday there’s Qarabag, the revelation of the Champions League. We need to recover energy and get ready right away. Now the real days begin.”

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Felice Torino

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