Antonio Conte has labelled Napoli’s 10th-placed finish in the 2023-24 Serie A season as ‘absurd’ and ‘unjustifiable’, but insists his players are ready to put the disappointment behind them and become more experienced as players as a result.
The new Partenopei coach spoke at a press conference from the team’s pre-season training camp in Dimaro on Saturday afternoon.
Despite the fact that Napoli followed up their 2022-23 Scudetto with a mid-table finish, they have been tipped by some bookmakers as the third-favourites for the league title in 2024-25. Conte suggests that this prediction could add some extra pressure, but he very much welcomed the challenge.
Conte on new Napoli signings, disappointing 2023-24 season and 2024-25 predictions
Napoli have made three signings already this transfer window, including the arrival of Real Madrid defender Rafa Marin, plus former Roma full-back Leonardo Spinazzola, and the €35m purchase of Italy international Alessandro Buongiorno, confirmed on Saturday morning.
Conte believes that these three additions will benefit Napoli both in the short-term and in the long run.
“On the market, as well as in other things, we are showing that we have a clear vision of what we want to do. For a club like Napoli, it is right to work for both the present and the future,” Conte said, reported via TMW.
“Rafa Marin has lots of good prospects, he’s a young man, the same goes for Buongiorno. Young prospects can become pillars for many years. We also think about improving in the present and there was a great opportunity with Spinazzola and we took it. We are going about the market in the right way, as Napoli should do.”
Addressing the unfortunate 2023-24 campaign, Conte insisted that not everything has gone to waste. He is ready to put the disappointment to one side, but is adamant that his players have to learn from the experience.
“It’s true that not everything has gone to waste, but let’s not forget that it was truly, very disappointing, from every point of view. I tried to put it behind us, with the boys, and to focus on the revolution that awaits us.
“But let’s not forget last season, let’s keep it there, nobody is happy about it, but we have that experience of victory from two years ago, and it must make us more experienced as people. It’s right to put it to one side, but if necessary, we’ll come back to it and refresh our memories.
On the commitment he has seen from his players, Conte added: “I’ve seen some dedicated players, they understand the mistakes they made. When we won, we all won. Last year, we all lost – the club, the fans, the players, but the boys have reflected and I think they’re more experienced as a result. I saw a bit of disappointment on their faces when they spoke about last year.
Conte then gave his view on the predictions that tip Napoli as the third-best team in Italy.
He points to the fact that there was a significant gap between Napoli and the eventual league Champions Inter, who have only grown stronger themselves so far this summer.
“In two days of work, it’s difficult. There was a clear gap, 41 points off Inter, up to 15 points to fifth for the Champions League, 10 points away from the Romans. This is the reality of the facts.
“There is a big margin, plus a symbolic player like Zielinski has left and strengthened Inter, who finished with a 41-point gap. We don’t know how our transfer window will end.
“If I were a betting agency, I would have another think. Having said that, these little things don’t scare me.
“If they want to put pressure on us, it’s not a problem, I accept it, we’ll let them talk. We don’t talk much and we are focussed after an absurd, unjustifiable year and we have a duty to improve, to return trophies, this is the realistic goal.”
Inter was not good enough for Mr. Conte! LOL