Fabio Capello Issues Brutal Antonio Conte Verdict After Napoli’s Champions League Woes
The 2-0 defeat to Benfica leaves the Partenopei's qualification hopes in the balance.
Fabio Capello believes Antonio Conte is to blame for Napoli’s Champions League failings this season.
Napoli Must Take More Risks
The Italian side’s 2-0 defeat against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica on Wednesday night left them 23rd in the 36-team group phase, with their hopes of reaching the knockouts firmly in the balance.
Richard Rios handed the hosts the lead in Lisbon before Leandro Barreiro tucked in a devilish cross early in the second half.
Paolo Di Canio criticised Scott McTominay‘s performance, the Scot having been at fault for both goals, and Napoli looked notably leggy.
With Copenhagen and Chelsea to come in their final two matches, they will require at least one more win to guarantee progression.
Speaking to La Gazetta dello Sport, Capello said he believes the problem is “psychological”, with Conte at fault.
“Perhaps he is unable to convey to the players the same serenity and strength that he communicates in Serie A,” said Capello.
“When you play in European competitions, you have to be confident in your own strength, find a certain calm, and take risks without being afraid to dare. Perhaps Antonio, looking at the results he’s getting in Europe, isn’t able to convey this to the team.”
Capello did, however, admit that Napoli’s “quality” squad should see them through to the next stage.
“This is why Napoli should have done everything at Da Luz to win and secure the play-offs, considering that the next round will be played in January, when they will have more options,” he added.
No More Room For Napoli Mistakes
Post-match, Clarence Seedorf said the Partenopei – and Conte – cannot afford to make any more errors.
“In the second half, I saw a Napoli with energy and pace, but not always clear on how to be dangerous,” he told Prime Video after the loss to Benfica. “Poor decisions and late passes.
“It’s not worrying, it’s normal. But in the next match, we can’t make any more mistakes. With a coach like Conte, however, you can always dream. Some responsibility also falls on the team.”
Damningly, Napoli have lost all three of their away matches in the Champions League this season, conceding 10 goals. The mid-week defeat also set an unwanted club record of five straight trips in the competition without picking up any points.
Conte, then, will certainly need to tighten up his side defensively ahead of two make-or-break fixtures.
Dan Davis
Dan is an experienced sports journalist and part-time lecturer. An expert on Serie A and Italian football, he has produced content for the likes of the Daily Mail, Reach PLC, GiveMeSport, FourFourTwo and GRV Media. While Channel 4's iconic Football Italia was a bit before his time, the nostalgia - and pastries - fuelled his love of all things Calcio.
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