Antonio Conte’s tenure as Napoli’s manager got off to a disastrous start with a 3-0 loss to Verona in their Serie A opener. In his post-match interview with Sky Sport, Conte expressed deep disappointment and concern about his team’s performance.
The Italian coach began by acknowledging the team’s contrasting halves: “In the first half, we were the only ones on the field. In the second half, we melted like snow in the sun.” He then offered an apology to the Napoli fans, stating, “We must humbly apologize to the Neapolitan people who follow us with passion for this unacceptable performance, which is nevertheless the result of something. There’s a lot of work to do from all points of view, and we will try to do it. If I can help Napoli in any way, I will, but we need to apologize.”
Conte expressed particular concern about the team’s mental fragility: “Beyond the transfer market discussion, what worries me is the second half, where we melted at the first sign of difficulty. Many players can come from the market, but this is relative, and we must solve the problem at its root, which is not an easy problem to solve. I take responsibility for this.”
When asked about the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen, Conte deflected, saying, “This is a question you should ask the club, not me. I’ve seen that Osimhen has been training separately since the retreat.” He then broadened his critique: “But beyond any single player, we need to have an attitude of more personality and desire, even in difficulties. I’ve seen that the boys struggle in difficulty, and this is a serious issue.”
