From the ignominy of a mid-table finish to league leaders, Antonio Conte has initiated an incredible turnaround at Napoli, writes Stephen Kasiewicz.
The Partenopei sank to 10th in Serie A after one of the worst title defences in Calcio’s history last term.
A horrendous season marred by three managerial changes, lamentable defensive collapses and misguided signings left the club in an unsafe position. Yet under the guidance of the former Italy, Juventus and Inter tactician the Campania-based club have regrouped and rebounded to charge ahead of the chasing pack this season.
The thought of Napoli four points clear at the top of the table at the start of November might have seemed as far-fetched as the possibility of 48-year-old Roma and Italy legend Francesco Totti making a miraculous playing comeback.
Yet, anything seems possible in a campaign where Super Mario Balotelli has finally returned to the Italian top flight.
Napoli’s advance to first place in the classifica is fully merited, though.
While Conte is understandably keen to preach that a European place should be the realistic objective, the Partenopei already look equipped to contend for the title.
The notoriously demanding coach has transformed a fractured group of fatigued individuals into a tenacious, unified unit. After a miserable three-goal opening-day defeat at Hellas Verona, the Partenopei have tightened up at the back, conceding just two goals since.
Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, a target for the boo boys in the 2023-2024 horror show, has redeemed himself spectacularly.
The 31-year-old admitted he contemplated leaving the club following a season to forget. Yet he has embraced Conte’s methods and registered three goals already. There won’t be many screaming for the overlapping full-back to head for the exit door after his excellent performances in the opening stages of the campaign.
The addition of Azzurri international Alessandro Buongiorno in the summer has also been a significant factor in Napoli possessing the best defence in Serie A.
They spent €40m in the summer to sign the central defender from Torino, but it already looks like a relative bargain.
Amir Rrahmani is a far more assured presence in the middle of the back four, largely thanks to the stellar efforts of the dynamic Buongiorno. The reinvigorated Alex Meret has also benefited from the stability in front of him by keeping five clean sheets with number two Elia Caprile, an able deputy.
None of last season’s additions made any worthwhile contributions – Natan, Jens Cajuste and Jesper Lindstrom were all shipped out – yet this year’s recruitment drive has been different.
The big money sale of wantaway Victor Osimhen was supposed to fund the rebuild.
Yet after an interminable debacle which resulted in the Nigerian eventually joining Galatasaray on loan, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis still backed Conte by splashing out the cash on a host of fresh faces.
The immediate impact of €30m Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay partially prompted Conte to adopt a new formation. Fans have already embraced the former Manchester United player, who has impressed with his work rate, stamina, and forward surges.
His quick adaptation to the tactical and technical challenges of Serie A has made him an almost guaranteed starter in Conte’s side. An early goal in the 3-1 victory over Como and two league assists are also evidence that the move came at the right time for a player sometimes underappreciated at Old Trafford.
Compatriot Billy Gilmour has also made his mark in the absence of the injured Stanislav Lobotka. The Slovak midfield lynchpin is arguably the only irreplaceable player in the Napoli starting line-up. Yet the 23-year-old Scotland regular has excelled in Lobotka’s place and formed a new midfield trio with McTominay and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa in the victories against Empoli, Lecce and Milan. Conte pushed for Gilmour’s signature from Brighton and Hove Albion, and the midfield pivot has certainly not disappointed in a demanding role.
The relationship between Conte and experienced forward Romelu Lukaku is well known, and the Lecce-born coach continues to get the best out of the Belgian.
ROMELU LUKAKU.
Napoli take the lead in Milan! ⚽#MilanNapoli 0-1 pic.twitter.com/eLlOr1aMLF
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) October 29, 2024
Four goals in eight Serie A games – including an early strike in the two-goal victory at Milan – is a solid return for a player with a vastly different skillset to Osimhen.
Any doubts about Lukaku were almost instantly dispelled when he netted on his debut in thrilling fashion as a substitute against Parma. The 31-year-old’s hold-up and link-up play should not be underestimated either, with four valuable assists as Napoli moved up the table.
Explosive winger David Neres, another high-profile capture from Benfica, has made a vital impact from the bench, racking up three assists and a goal.
Only in football utopia does every signing work out, although Leonardo Spinazzola and Rafa Marin will no doubt provide useful cover throughout a long season.
Wing genius Khvicha Kvaratskhelia remains the most compelling player to watch in Italy. The Georgian’s magnificent goal at Milan was yet another example of his supreme talent. He will comfortably reach double figures after claiming five goals already with a license to roam in multiple formations under Conte.
Without the rigours of European competition – perhaps the only dubious benefit from the doldrums of last year – Napoli have overcome every hurdle after stumbling badly on the first day at Hellas Verona. Any criticism about the standard of opposition or otherwise appears badly misjudged if not foolish in the extreme. The Partenopei were in fifth position at the same stage last season after losing twice and drawing three of their first 10 matches. They were rightly hammered then and deserve some praise now.
Given that we are not even half-way into the season it would be utterly ludicrous to suggest Napoli are the absolute favourites to claim a historic fourth scudetto.
Yet there is no doubt Conte has made them more competitive and more resolute since taking over.
How Napoli fare in their next five Serie A games—starting at home to Atalanta on Sunday and with trips to Inter, Torino, Roma, and Lazio at Stadio Diego Maradona—should present a more accurate picture of their title chances.
Barring an unlikely collapse, expect them to be well-placed to crown the winter champions.