Conte: ‘Napoli not hiding from Scudetto ambitions’

Antonio Conte admits Napoli could go for the Scudetto this season, even if it would be ‘a miracle’ despite their 2-0 victory away to Milan, thanking Romelu Lukaku for wanting them ‘at all costs.’

The Partenopei continued their extraordinary run of form, winning nine of their last 10 competitive games and drawing the other.

Most notably, they conceded just two goals in that streak and scored 23 between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

Lukaku broke the deadlock almost immediately at San Siro this evening, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia bent a ferocious effort into the far bottom corner on the stroke of half-time.

Considering they are surging away at the top of the table and have the added benefit of no midweek European commitments, can Conte continue to argue they are not favourites for the Scudetto?

“Nobody is hiding here. We just look realistically at what we are doing this year, which after 10 rounds is in my view incredible and not even the craziest dream could’ve seen this coming,” Conte told DAZN.

“We’ve got to take it one game at a time. I have broad shoulders, I know that my name and career means I am given responsibility from the start because I’ve achieved certain things. Every club that starts the season knows its objective, we know ours and that was to get back into Europe, because Napoli were out for the first time in I think 14 years. If we can enter via the front door, it’s even better, but we also know that five or six clubs have the same ambition.

“Do not forget this team was 41 points off the leaders last season. We are not hiding, we want to fuel the dreams of the Napoli fans, but seeing as it is a passionate place, we must also keep our feet on the ground.”

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Napoli passion fuelling Conte

Conte was asked what makes him most proud about the team at this stage of the process.

“What makes me proud is that in just four months we have been able to create a solid unit where we think about the Team and not the Individual. This is one of the best groups I’ve had in my career, when everyone has a single vision and a unity of intent, including those in charge of the club to the kit staff and gardeners, it all creates a wonderful atmosphere.

“I breathe in that passion and enthusiasm, so when I get that situation, it brings the passion out in me too. I suffer too, because I would want to win them all, so I feel the anxiety. We had only one training session to prepare on Monday, because we played Saturday and rested on Sunday.

“I thank the staff and players, because I am well aware that I stress them out and am demanding of them as much as I am of myself. The passion at Napoli is a huge responsibility and I realise the days after the game are tough if you don’t win, it’s an emotional place where the mood can shift quickly.

“I am glad the team is doing well, but we must also be prepared for when there are setbacks and slip-ups. We really want to make the Napoli fans proud of their team and I think today they saw that desire throughout the squad, even those who only played a few minutes.

“I am enthusiastic about working with this group, because they are open and believe in what we are doing.”

It was pointed out to Conte that perhaps the only club where he struggled to deliver was at Tottenham Hotspur, though he assured that was a coup of its own sort.

“I realise there are expectations, but if you go where there are difficulties. I think Tottenham did incredibly well, because they were ninth when I arrived and we got into the Champions League. The two years after I left, which was for personal reasons, they did not qualify for the Champions League.

“I think I achieved a lot there too. If people ask me for miracles, then I can speed them up and get the best out of the squad, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we can win. I think I got the maximum possible out of that Tottenham side.

“For Napoli to win the title would be incredible, because we gave ourselves a three-year window. Napoli won two years ago, but Milan won three years ago and Juventus four. The difference is that those teams finished in the top four afterwards and we finished 10^th, losing many players. Miracles can happen, we can speed up the process, but the process still needs to be gone through.

“If we were to achieve our target of Europe, that would already be something special, so we’ve got to stay humble.”

Lukaku found the net this evening and confirmed his remarkable form when working with Conte.

“I certainly have great empathy with Romelu, he wanted at all costs to come to Napoli. He lowered his wages, turned down English clubs, all because he wanted us to work together again,” concluded the coach.

“He’s a good lad, I am fortunate to have a group of players who are exceptional who are ready to ‘die’ for the shirt.”