Conte on Napoli’s victory over Roma: “We responded with maturity”

Napoli reclaimed the top spot in Serie A with a narrow 1-0 victory against Roma, thanks to a decisive goal from Romelu Lukaku in the second half. After the match, Napoli head coach Antonio Conte shared his thoughts on the performance and the team’s mindset.

Conte emphasized the importance of focusing on their own game rather than the league standings. “Before the match, I clearly told the boys not to look at the table but to think about ourselves to try to improve,” he said. He praised his team’s effort, stating, “For 70 minutes, I was very satisfied with the team, creating several situations where we could have been more clinical and ruthless.”

He acknowledged the quality of their opponents, noting that Roma is a strong team. “We played against Roma, which is a fine team, conceding a crossbar from a set piece where we definitely need to pay more attention,” he added. Conte highlighted that every match should serve as motivation for his players, reflecting on how they had slipped from first to fourth before this game. “I liked the mature performance of the boys,” he remarked.

Discussing Moise Kean’s performance, Conte noted, “He had an excellent first half, one of his best since I arrived at Napoli. He returned from international duty with some fatigue in his adductor, and we managed him a bit in these days.” His focus remains on both the well-being of the player and the team.

In closing, Conte expressed his commitment to continuous improvement: “We must continue to grow; we will keep doing well.” With this victory, Napoli not only solidified their position at the top of the table but also demonstrated their resilience and maturity as they navigate through a competitive season.