Following a tense victory against Cagliari, Napoli`s head coach Antonio Conte shared his insights: “Lorenzo was acquired to learn from Lukaku and will soon integrate into our system. Elmas and Hojlund are also expected to provide crucial support.”
It was a close call, but a win is a win. Antonio Conte breathed a profound sigh of relief after Anguissa`s last-minute goal secured a dramatic victory against Cagliari. His post-match remarks conveyed a distinct sense of relief and triumph. “I finally thought: `Yes!` You all witnessed the game; these are classic matches where there`s a significant risk of losing. I would have been content even with a 0-0 draw. We played with patience and as a cohesive unit, meticulously searching for optimal scoring opportunities. Today felt somewhat jinxed; we unexpectedly faced a very defensive opponent. We performed commendably, preventing any counter-attacks. Our team is progressing in terms of mentality and focus, and we maintained belief until the final whistle. We understood that applying consistent pressure could lead to a breakthrough, and we indeed created several chances. I am extremely pleased,” the coach elaborated to Dazn.
On Lucca`s Role and Integration
“When opponents drop so deep, forming two such tight defensive lines, we must be skillful in ball circulation to uncover spaces for through balls, or to effectively flood the penalty area. We weren`t always precise with our crosses, but these are the types of games where patience is paramount. We managed to create various situations, and ultimately, we capitalized on one,” the coach continued. A significant point of discussion revolves around Lucca, who has inherited Lukaku`s mantle in these initial two matches but without leaving a decisive mark. “He was brought in specifically to learn from Lukaku, but Romelu suffered an injury. Consequently, Lucca now needs to accelerate his development, consistently working hard to fully assimilate into the team`s tactical framework.”
Napoli`s Strategic Moves in the Transfer Market
Turning to transfer developments, Napoli`s squad building efforts are not yet complete. The official announcements for the arrivals of Elmas and Hojlund are still pending, though these two deals are virtually finalized. Their integration will provide Conte with a considerably more complete roster. “We have brought in players who can contribute immediately in the present and others who represent Napoli`s future. Our objective was to enhance the squad`s depth because, previously, without European competitions, we relied heavily on a core of 12-13 players. Now, there was a clear necessity to integrate more talent. I strive to select players who are in peak condition, which is why I`ve primarily relied on those who contributed to our success last year. Neres experienced a minor adductor issue, and we chose not to risk him, especially with six matches scheduled upon the league`s resumption. However, he is capable of offering substantial assistance. Spinazzola proved to be a vital solution today; compared to Olivera, he has a greater ability to bypass defenders while maintaining defensive coverage. Some new players, like Beukema, will still require a bit more time to fully adapt. Juan Jesus was needed and demonstrated his readiness. Ambrosino also made his debut, similar to Vergara, because we need contributions from them too, despite being somewhat limited in terms of our youth academy resources. My intention was to convey a clear message to them: they are an integral part of this squad. Elmas could have provided assistance tonight, and we will observe if Hojlund also joins us. We are diligently working to ensure we complete the squad correctly, transforming it into one capable of competing across all these diverse competitions,” Conte concluded.
