Napoli manager Antonio Conte has expressed satisfaction with the performance of his injury-hit side despite the defeat to Chelsea that knocked them out of the UEFA Champions League.
The Serie A champions went into the clash without several regulars, but needed a win to move into the playoffs position.
However, they were defeated 3-2 by the Blues, who sealed a top-eight finish with the result while Napoli suffered early elimination and a first home defeat since December 2024.
“I am so proud of our lads, because we pressed them, created chances, fought them for every ball. It’s a pity, we deserved to at least get into the play-offs”, Conte said.
“Their quality in the final third was decisive. The problem is that Chelsea didn’t even have that many scoring opportunities, but when they got into those positions, they hurt you,
The difference was the finishing, they were far more precise and clinical in front of goal.”
Enzo Fernandez had given Chelsea an early lead in the game, but Antonio Vergara’s first goal for Napoli and Rasmus Hojlund put Napoli back in front heading into the break.
Cole Palmer entered the fray and led a spirited fightback, creating the assist for Joao Pedro’s second half brace to give the Blues a 3-2 comeback win.
“We feel great pride and satisfaction, because despite missing more than half the squad, we played if not on the same level, then even better than Chelsea, and deserved a lot more”, the Italian added.
“I told the lads that the regret was in Copenhagen, where we simply couldn’t let that win slip through our fingers. It forced us to be in this situation against a top club, don’t forget Chelsea won the Club World Cup, they have extraordinary players on the field, the bench and even left in the stands.”
Chelsea are through to the Round of 16 of the competition and shift their focus to the EPL when they host West Ham United on Saturday.
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