Italian media praised Antonio Conte after Napoli’s 1-0 win over Empoli, saying that the Italian tactician made ‘key decisions’ that changed the game at the Stadio Castellani.
Napoli remain the Serie A table leaders after a 1-0 victory against Empoli on Sunday.
The Partenopei needed a controversial penalty converted by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the second half to take all three points, but the Italian media insists that Conte played a key role in the Azzurri’s latest win.
Conte’s use of substitution was particularly wise as the Italian tactician replaced a disappointing Romelu Lukaku in the second half to introduce Argentinean winger Giovanni Simeone.
The ex-Hellas Verona striker was involved in the attack that led to the Napoli penalty.
“Conte won the game it with his decisions and experience,” wrote Il Corriere dello Sport.
How Conte’s key decisions helped Napoli beat Empoli
“They say that a coach’s impact does not surpass 20%, but this number must be revisited in Conte’s case.
“He decided to drop McTominay into central midfield and make him play closer to Gilmour and Anguissa to have more solutions with the ball possession.”
Substitutions did the rest.
“Lukaku looked like the cousin of the real Big Rom, so Conte didn’t think twice about replacing his favourite striker for Simeone,” continued the Rome-based paper.
- Read more – Conte critical of ‘timid’ Gilmour and Napoli
“The key decision was to replace Spinazzola, who was too sloppy to cope with Empoli’s intensity. Olivera and Simeone changed the game’s face in a few minutes.”
Conte was rated 7/10 by Corriere dello Sport and Gazzetta.
His Napoli side has lost just one game from the opening eight. The Partenopei have scored 15 goals and conceded just five.
Their next game is against Lecce at the Stadio Maradona.