Conte: Napoli ‘don’t risk their lives’ against Roma, but football ‘not volleyball’ | OneFootball

Napoli coach Antonio Conte insists the Partenopei ‘don’t risk their lives’ against Claudio Ranieri’s Roma and thanks ‘director’ Beppe Marotta for noticing he’s ‘intelligent.’

The Partenopei host Roma at the Stadio Maradona on Sunday after a 1-1 draw against Inter before the break.

Conte was furious after the latest league fixture, in which Inter were awarded a controversial penalty without an on-field VAR review.

Conte called for a different use of VAR after the match but is unsure if his requests will be met.

“I don’t know, but it caused a constructive debate to build something better,” he said, as quoted by TuttoNapoli.

“Surely, there are tools we must consider today. I didn’t know [referee] Mariani was in contact with VAR, but he was only told that there had been a contact, but football is a contact sport. If we want to be constructive, we must expect better help for Mariani than he had at San Siro.

Conte hits back at Inter President Marotta

Inter CEO Beppe Marotta (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“There was contact, but what kind of contact was that? Was it light? It’s not volleyball,” continued Conte.

“[VAR] should be used better to help the referees. I’m sorry because Mariani officiated well, and today, I realised that nobody helped him. I would have accepted the decision if he had reviewed it [on a pitchside monitor]. I hope my words are constructive for the good of all teams.”

Conte’s protests led to a reaction from Inter President Beppe Marotta, who said the Italian tactician had a clear objective.

“I thank the director. President? To me, he was a director,” Conte said, smiling.

“We worked together for a few years, and I am happy he learned that I am intelligent. He said I am smart. I don’t know if I have good communication skills; surely, we don’t have the same targets. We won’t be friends or travel companions but opponents and rivals.”

Conte: Napoli ‘don’t risk their lives’ against Roma

Napoli’s next Serie A game against Roma marks Ranieri’s return to the Giallorossi’s bench. The 73-year-old replaced Ivan Juric during the break.

“It’s a football game; we don’t risk our lives,” said Conte, smiling again. “It’s a sporting risk.”

“Surely, I greatly respect Claudio. I am happy for him. I thought he’d only return for a national team, but his heart was open for Roma and Cagliari. I am glad for him and his family because they live in Rome. It will be a challenging game. Don’t forget Roma finished ahead of Napoli last season. They play in the Europa League. Their transfer window was great, but [new players] are not meeting expectations. I hope they hit the ground running after the Napoli game.

“There is an important input when you change the coach,” continued Conte.

“We don’t know how they will face us, so we’ll focus on ourselves. We have the desire to continue on this path, knowing that it will be a tough game against an excellent team that has had a few issues.

“I called Ranieri to welcome him back. It was the minimum I could do. Our wives are also friends. He really is a polite person; you can only love him. I wish him all the best, except in the two games against us.”

The final question from Radio Kiss Kiss on Alex Meret irritated Conte again. The media had blamed the Italian keeper for Inter’s goal in the latest league fixture.

“I’m sorry when you ask these specific questions,” said the Napoli boss.

“Not wicked, but specific questions. Meret is our starting goalkeeper ahead of Caprile, who is giving good guarantees. You can’t nitpick to create instability inside [the dressing room]. On the contrary, I’d expect Radio Kiss Kiss, which is from Naples, to go in Napoli’s favour rather than try to create instability with such a question because it’s unfair to the player. Perhaps I was accustomed to something different.”