Napoli win three in a row, Conte’s side ready for Man City | OneFootball

Antonio Conte’s Napoli just can’t be stopped: after victories over Sassuolo and Cagliari, they notch up a third consecutive win in the league. At the Artemio Franchi, the Azzurri defeat Fiorentina 3-1 and remain at the top of the table with a perfect record.

Napoli, three wins out of three: Conte builds a rock-solid team ready for City

This victory is worth much more than just three points: it certifies the group’s solidity, the effectiveness of the summer’s work, and above all the growth of a squad that already seems ready to withstand the impact of the Champions League, where a clash with Guardiola’s Manchester City looms on the horizon.

A Fab4 midfield

Napoli had already impressed with both quality and quantity in the first two matches, but the performance in Florence confirms the sheer weight of a central unit that today is a true luxury for Serie A.

The goal that broke the deadlock came from Kevin De Bruyne’s feet, ice-cold from the penalty spot. But it’s the overall numbers that stand out: four of the six goals scored so far in the league have come from the midfield. The organization, athletic freshness, and variety of options available make Napoli’s midfield the beating heart of Conte’s project.

As the coach highlighted: “We created and dominated for long stretches, but what satisfies me most is the mentality: we never give up, not even when we have to suffer.”

Hojlund, the missing striker

Among the most positive new additions is undoubtedly the impact of Rasmus Hojlund. After a turbulent summer with the Lukaku saga and Lucca’s difficulties fitting into Conte’s system, the Dane has emerged as the ideal striker for the Azzurri project.

The goal for 2-0 was textbook center-forward play: pure number nine movement, perfect timing, and composure in front of goal. Hojlund is only 22, but the maturity with which he interprets attacking movements gives Napoli an extra dimension. In a league he knows well, the former Atalanta man is poised to become the team’s secret weapon this season.

An iron defense, even in tough moments

If the midfield shines and the attack regains its edge, the defense is no less impressive. Despite Rrahmani’s absence, Conte has found convincing answers: Beukema put in a flawless performance and crowned his Azzurri debut with a goal, while Buongiorno confirmed his reliability and physical presence.

Napoli kept a clean sheet for 445 consecutive minutes, a streak broken only by Ranieri’s goal that set the score at 3-1. It’s a detail Conte didn’t overlook: “We shouldn’t have suffered like that at the end, we have to aim for perfection.”

Work and mentality: Conte’s touch

If Napoli already looks so solid at the start of the season, much of the credit goes to their preparation. The intense and often grueling training sessions imposed by Conte over the summer have shaped a resilient team, ready to cope even when clarity is lacking.

Every mistake is corrected by a teammate, every physical dip is compensated by collective mentality. It’s no coincidence that the team seems to run more than the others and manages to maintain rhythm and compactness for the full ninety minutes.

Now the Etihad: the toughest test awaits

The next step will be one that truly tests the Italian champions: the clash at the Etihad against Manchester City. Not just a match, but a test of maturity against Erling Haaland and company, in a stadium that forgives nothing.

Napoli will approach it with enthusiasm, confidence, and self-awareness. But to get a result against Guardiola’s juggernaut, perfection will be required: defensive compactness, ruthlessness in front of goal, and the same intensity shown in the first three matches.

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