Conte: Venezia vs Napoli ‘like a World Cup Final’ | OneFootball

Antonio Conte feels Napoli must treat the upcoming match against strugglers Venezia ‘as the ultimate World Cup Final.’

The Partenopei visit Venezia on Sunday in a crucial Serie A match.

Later in the evening, in fact, third-placed Atalanta will host table leaders Napoli.

“Every match always hides dangers, just look at Inter vs. Monza to understand that. Nothing is guaranteed,” Conte said at a press conference on Saturday via TuttoNapoli.

“We’re facing a team in good form, fighting to stay up, and they will play their cards. We’ll have to put in an excellent performance, and that’s what I expect.”

What will be more important in the last ten games of the season? The technique, the tactics or the mentality?

“Training these guys throughout the week has definitely helped us a lot this year; otherwise, it would have been tough from every point of view,” Conte argued.

Conte: Venezia vs Napoli ‘like a World Cup Final’

NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 09: Giacomo Raspadori of Napoli (hidden) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates and staff during the Serie A match between Napoli and Fiorentina at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 09, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“It has helped us, and even when difficulties came, we were good at always finding a solution. Ten games are left, and we approach them with a well-balanced tactical setup where every detail will matter. But I don’t look at all ten. I focus on the next one, which has to be treated as the ultimate World Cup Final.

“Against Venezia, we have to show that we are better than them, hungrier than them, and more eager to win, knowing that they will try to steal our ideas,” Conte continued.

“I’ve studied the teams that played there and the difficulties faced by Inter, Roma, and Lazio, who only managed a draw. It won’t be a walk in the park. I expect a great match. It will require maturity and proof that we are fully focused.”

Not even Atalanta-Inter will influence Conte and his lads.

“I think I’ve gotten you used to hearing me talk only about the next match, focusing on ourselves,” the Partenopei boss said.

“Everything we’ve built, we’ve done by looking at ourselves with blinders on, without getting distracted or influenced by what’s around us. And we will continue this way.

“When you reach the final third of the season, every game becomes harder. You start seeing the objectives, and the pressure and stress increase,” Conte added.

“Whether you’re playing against a team fighting for the title or battling to avoid relegation, it makes no difference.

“It all depends on us and how we approach the matches. What I always say, and will never stop repeating, is that you can lose a game, but the opponent must prove they were tactically and technically superior. However, we cannot afford to be beaten in terms of desire and will to win. We should never come second to anyone in that regard.”