Naples, Conte warns: “In the city they ask me for the scudetto, but victories are built over time”

CASTEL VOLTURNO – The championship break for Antonio Conte it lasted too long. “Fortunately we’re back playing, I sensed an exaggerated excitement around us and it’s good that we’re back on the pitch. We’re pleased to be up there, obviously, but the league table is very short”, the Napoli coach put the brakes on, forced to deal with absences on the eve of Sunday’s trip to Empoli. Beyond Meret in fact it won’t even be available Lobotkawho ended up knocked out in the national team. “His problem is not very serious, even if we regret losing him at this moment. However, we will have the opportunity to see from the first minute Gilmourwho so far has been one of the most sacrificed and is a strong player, capable of giving many guarantees. Our objective will be to have two starters of the same level for each position and we are working in this direction, knowing that it will still take quite some time. I repeat: ours is a team in progress for now.”

Conte: “Easy calendar only if we win the matches”

Conte also reiterated this to the players, inviting them not to look at the rankings. “I know that the trip to Empoli has often been difficult for Napoli and a worthy opponent awaits us, who are unbeaten in their stadium and have not yet conceded a goal. It is a club that will play football, but our intention is to also rewrite this story, going beyond this negative tradition, becomes easy only when the matches are won Lecce: for us they must be the two matches of a lifetime”, recommended the coach, keeping his guard high as always. “I feel the responsibility of coaching in a great club and of having to lead him to build a solid team, which he can have every year the ambition to fight for major players. Then it’s obvious that everyone in the city is asking me for the scudetto. But I reply that patience is needed: victories are built and not invented from one moment to the next.”

Conte: “Winning teams know how to do everything”

Step by step, in short. Conte knows how to do it. “Winning teams know how to do everything: be beautiful and also get their hands dirty, in a chameleon-like manner. Solid foundations are also useful for learning to manage difficult days and matches in which one has to suffer, like the one that awaits us in Empoli Resilience makes us stronger. Our spirit of sacrifice must never be less than that of our opponents: I will not tolerate this…”. But no pressure. “I told Lukaku that he needs to have a freer mind, it makes a difference anyway. He doesn’t have to take on too many burdens. Neres? For now I see him as an alternative to Kvaratskhelia and it is growing even in the passive phase. Olivera he is a little tired from the long journey, but has trained regularly with his teammates. Meret is better, but there’s no reason to risk it. I trust Caprile and we must have two starters for each position.”