Antonio Conte insists Napoli are ‘on the right track’ despite their second defeat to Lazio in four days. ‘We are not going back, I don’t want a team that sits back and defends.’
The Partenopei knew they needed a victory this evening to retain the leadership, but instead they fell to their second home defeat of the campaign.
Both sides rattled the woodwork at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, until Gustav Isaksen ran onto a Tijjani Noslin slide-rule pass, cut inside Mathias Olivera and bent a ferocious left-foot finish into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Conte spots Napoli problem
“I think this match clearly showed that we are on the right track, because our idea of football is to be aggressive, take the initiative and try to create dangerous situations when in possession,” Conte told DAZN.
“We certainly need to improve on our crosses and final ball, this is not the first time we’ve spent a lot of time in the opposition final third and didn’t make more of that.”
It is perhaps not a coincidence that when Napoli have lost in Serie A this season, 3-0 to Verona, 3-0 to Atalanta and 1-0 to Lazio, they have failed to score.
“I am definitely not disappointed with the performance, because the lads gave their all, showed spirit, determination and were up against a very good Lazio side. They are not up there as a fluke in Serie A and Europe,” continued Conte.
“I am not disappointed or unhappy. I know we are on the right track and inevitably there will be some bumps in that road, there will be again in future, but I saw a team that is aggressive, wants to control the game and what we need is more quality in the final third.”
Conte was criticised for changing his entire starting XI for the midweek Coppa Italia tie against Lazio, which he lost 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico, but even with all his best players this evening was still defeated.
“When you press high, it is also inevitable you will allow some counter-attacks, but that too is part of the growth process. I prefer to see a team that is active and not passive, that sits back and defends deep waiting to concede a goal.
“We started this journey, we are working hard and I can see the first fruits of that labour, but we are only five months into it. These are our concepts and we are not going back, I don’t want to see a team that sits back and defends. We need to be aggressive and just have to find more quality with those players making the difference on crosses, final passes and shots,” concluded Conte.
