The Napoli head coach, Antonio Conte, spoke to the media in a press conference after the win against AC Milan with a 2-1 result at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium.
Question: is this a response that can bring you great satisfaction?
"Absolutely. I was telling the staff that you hate days like these when you have serious problems to solve. Today was a very tough and exhausting day, but I’m happy because I got a great response from the guys. Anguissa wasn’t supposed to start, and we also took a risk with Neres, who hadn’t played for more than a month and a half. After 7-8 months, the players have absorbed various situations. Then, in the second half, when Frank and David ran out of energy, and when Lobotka came off as well, it became difficult. Even those who came on had to do so in a moment of pressure. Compliments to the substitutes because it wasn’t easy. I hope to recover everyone because that way, we can be a threat until the end. Otherwise, we might drop something along the way."
Three points, an important signal, Conte replied:
"Today was an important match. Now we have a 9-point lead over the fifth-placed team, besides being back to -3 from Inter. The Champions League would be an extremely important achievement, considering the other squads. Staying within three points of Inter was very important. If we have everyone available, we can be a threat, despite the difficulties we’ve faced in the last three months. People forget the period we’ve been through and who we’ve played against. There must be no excuses, but these guys deserve credit. The first half today was of absolute quality, and I hope it can be repeated for 90 minutes without us feeling anxiety."
Have you ever had to change systems and players so often? Conte commented:
"I often tell my staff: I think that this year, just like last year when I wasn’t coaching, I stayed focused and studied a lot. Being inactive and having a clear mind expanded my tactical knowledge. What happened this year had never happened to me before. Changing the system of play is already difficult, and I have to thank last year when I was out of work. Today, I feel much stronger; everything I learned last year, I put into practice with an incredible group of guys. I was lucky to find this group, and the various tactical solutions have broadened my knowledge base."
On the players who came off:
"Lobotka went off due to cramps. Anguissa couldn’t go on anymore; he hadn’t played a match in a long time. We shouldn’t have any other injuries."
