Napoli manager Antonio Conte believes Napoli’s ‘mentality must continue to grow’ as they look to return to winning ways after suffering consecutive defeats against Lazio in the Coppa Italia and Serie A respectively.
Conte’s men, having crashed out of the Coppa Italia following a 3-1 defeat to Lazio, were then condemned to a painful 1-0 Serie A defeat by the same opponents just a few days later, costing them top spot on the league table.
Napoli are preparing to face Udinese, a side they have not lost against since April 2016, with Partenopei winning 13 of the last 16 games between the two sides and drawing the remaining three.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the game against Udinese, Conte reflected on the effect the two defeats against Lazio has had on his team, emphasizing the need for growth in order to overcome the setback.
“Zero points and elimination from the Cup, more than this they cannot leave,” the Italian manager said when asked what the Lazio defeats left behind.
“We start again, always in the same way as when you win, by working, working, working. The mentality must continue to grow, the falls must help us reinforce this mentality.
“Tomorrow we will see, after a crash, what answer we will have.”
When pressed for details about his potential team selection for Saturday’s match, the Napoli boss opted to remain tight-lipped about his tactical plans.
“[On Saturday], you’ll see, I haven’t decided who will take to the pitch yet,” Conte said.
“You will see the choices and what kind of contribution everyone will make. We still have a training session in the morning at the hotel.
“We are trying different formations, this week we have tried many and then we will see which one will be the best for this team.”
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
