After Napoli clinched a tight 2-1 victory over Sporting, coach Antonio Conte stepped forward, a satisfied look on his face. He praised his team’s fighting spirit. Conte made sure to point out the strong impact from substitutes, especially players like David Neres, who used to play for Benfica.
The Italian manager spoke with respect about Sporting, acknowledging their strength. “Playing every three or four days is never easy,” Conte explained. “You need a deep roster with good players to handle that kind of rotation.” He noted Sporting’s quality, calling them a “very good team with important players.” Even their starting eleven was tough. When their coach brought on subs, they were strong additions, too.
Conte felt Napoli played a very good game, especially given their own challenges. “We were in a tough spot,” he said. “Think of it as an emergency, with many of our defensive players out with injuries.” He believed that, considering these issues, his team put on a good display against a strong opponent. Napoli battled hard for the win.
When asked about his players’ energy levels, especially after the 70-minute mark, Conte admitted that fatigue was a factor. “Yes, the players had little rest,” he confirmed. “But I still believe we are a physically strong team.” He explained why he made changes around the 70th minute. He was happy with the fresh legs that came onto the field. Neres and Lang, among others, really made a difference.
Conte stressed that this positive impact from the bench needs to be Napoli’s ongoing approach. He highlighted the big challenge of integrating new faces. “It’s tough trying to add nine new players to a team that won the championship just last year,” he remarked. “They come from different backgrounds.” Players like De Bruyne, and others, have only recently joined the squad. “Wearing this Napoli shirt carries a lot of weight,” Conte added. “There are huge expectations.” He concluded by emphasizing the need for patience as they slowly bring these new talents into the team.
