Ahead of the new season, Antonio Conte has sent a clear warning to his players.
Napoli coach Antonio Conte expects a tough battle as they gear up to defend their Serie A title. He believes the team must learn from the mistakes of the 2023–24 season if they want to move forward.
Napoli, after winning two Serie A titles led by Diego Maradona, ended a 33-year wait by clinching their third league title in the 2022–23 season. But their title defense the following year turned into a disaster, with the team finishing 10th in the standings.
Following the departure of Luciano Spalletti — the coach who led them to the title — Napoli went through three managerial changes. Finally, in June last year, they handed the job to Antonio Conte, the Italian tactician who had already won three Serie A titles with Juventus, one with Inter Milan, and a Premier League crown with Chelsea. Conte managed to guide Napoli to the league title again last season, clinching it on the final matchday.
With the new season on the horizon, Conte remains cautious. Speaking to the press on Friday, he urged his players to stay humble.
“Traditionally, the teams that have won the Serie A title are either favorites or among the favorites. We shouldn’t be hiding in fear. We’ve worked hard to build ourselves up. This year will be very challenging, that’s for sure.”
“But we must never forget our recent past. We have to learn even from the negative moments. What happened two years ago must be a lesson… We work on the pitch — there will never be any miracles. We will always stay humble.”
Napoli have also bolstered their squad with several new signings, including Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.
