New Delhi: Napoli’s performances under Antonio Conte are not being talked about enough as the Italian has so far managed to get the best out of this Napoli side. Napoli’s opening day disappointments against Hellas Verona, suggested that this may turn out to be the beginning of yet another disastrous campaign for Gli Azzurri. They managed to get the worst possible start to the campaign, as they were thrashed 3-0 by Paolo Zanetti’s Verona side. However, that loss now seems like long forgotten as since then, Napoli have not looked back, as they remain unbeaten in their last five Serie A games.
Their recent win against Monza suggested that they sit at the very top of the Serie A table, with 13 points. It has truly been a wonderful start considering their previous campaign, which was quite literally one of their worst league performances. Last season was a complete disaster where the club went through three managerial changes after Luciano Spalletti left the club at the end of their title winning 2022/23 Serie A campaign. At first, it was Rudi Garcia who became Spalletti’s successor, but he failed to bring in the results and was sacked mid season. Replacing him was Walter Mazzarri who also had a short tenure as he was replaced immediately by Francesco Calzona.
Napoli are alone in first place after 6 league matches for the first time since winning the scudetto 👀
📊 Opta pic.twitter.com/Hcw3DtC7mw
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) September 29, 2024
None of the three managers managed to settle into the system as Napoli finished 10th last season, and it was Calzona who was sacked in the month of June 2024. However, Gli Azzurri then appointed a former Serie A winning manager, and one of the top managers in the world, Antonio Conte. This addition had some major plans in the future for the Italian giants as Conte completely changed the look of the squad, bringing in some great signings.
New signings performing under Conte
Romelu Lukaku of Napoli SSC celebrates during the Serie A TIM match between Cagliari Calcio and Napoli SSC in Italy on September 15, 2024 (Photo by Alessandro Tocco/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
It was the end of 2022/23 season, where Napoli won their third historic Serie A title, when Luciano Spalletti decided to leave the club. He helped them win their second ever title, after more than 30 years, since they won their last league title back in 1089/90 season. His departure was quite a surprise for the neutrals, but Napoli further witnessed another departure from the club, as their star defender Kim Min-Jae joined the German giants Bayern Munich. The Korean defender turned out to be an instrumental figure at the back for Napoli, and since his departure, last season they just couldn’t find the best possible replacement for the South Korean.
However, this season it has been quite the opposite for the Gli Azzurri as Conte managed to bring in some exciting players into the squad pre season. It is not always the best option to trust your new signings from the very start, but Conte took that risk and managed to get the best out of these new signings. Their most expensive signing this season, Alessandro Buongiorno, has been a solid prospect at the back and it already seems like Napoli have managed to find the perfect replacement for their ex-star defender Kim Min-Jae. So far, Rrahmani and Buongiorno’s duo have managed to keep an mpressive five clean sheets in seven games.
🔵⚪️ Napoli’s Scott McTominay converting from Romelu Lukaku’s assist! 🏴🤝🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/K46yRV4o8T
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 27, 2024
Besides, Conte is getting the best out of further new signings, such as David Neres, who has already bagged three assists this season, that too from the bench. He is yet to start a game, but it looks likely that the Brazilian will be joining the attack soon. Another big signing for Napoli has been the former Manchester United midfielder, Scott McTominay, who has been brilliant in the midfield as he recently opened his goalscoring account for Gli Azzurri, scoring against Palermo in Coppa Italia.
Romelu Lukaku’s transfer saga was a bit complicated one, but Conte would certainly be glad that he managed to convince the big Belgian to join the club. Lukaku has already made four goal contributions so far, and he looks to have settled into the Napoli system quite well. Conte has always managed to get the best out of the Belgian striker, and this looks like another season where we could see Lukaku leading Napoli’s front line well. Other signings, such as Billy Gilmour, Rafa Marin and Leonardo Spinazzola have also turned out to be great assets for Napoli this season.
Key factors behind Conte’s success
Antonio Conte Head Coach of SSC Napoli gestures during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa match (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Napoli are unbeaten in their previous six matches in all competitons, and so far it has looked like the players have settled into the “Conte System”, pretty well. Free scoring Napoli have managed to score 16 times in those six games, while conceding just once. These are clear signs of Napoli finally feeling comfortable on the pitch and finding their flow which was missing last season. Antonio Conte has had a wonderful impact and so far, things are looking great for this Napoli side.
However, one thing that has to be studied about the Conte, is his ability to gel well with the players and bring the best out of the current players and also the new signings. It didn’t take the players to fully settle into the system of Antonio Conte, indicating the fact that his tactics have been extremely flexible, giving the players the freedom to do their bit on the pitch. Napoli’s biggest threat this season has been their high press, giving no time for the opposition to clear their lines from their own territory.
Napoli are now unbeaten over their last 6 games in all competitions.
✅ 5 wins
⚖️ 1 draw
⚽️ 16 goals scored
❌ 1 goal conceded
— Raffaele (@ItalianoCalcio) September 29, 2024
The Napoli players have shown their urgency on the pitch, when they do not have the ball. Their ability to read those bad passes from the opposition has been spot on as they manage to pounce on any sort of loose pass made by their opponents. Their high pressing ability and game reading has made them a formidable opponent on the pitch. Particularly their wingmen, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, David Neres and Matteo Politano, have shown great urgency and determination to win the ball in the opposition territory, which has been a massive plus point for Conte’s men.
However, the players have shown their will on the pitch, and they have turned up on the pitch to make the most out of every little opportunity that they get. So far, it has been a dominant start for the Gli Azzurri, and Conte will be looking to capitalise on this positive start to the campaign.
Antonio Conte has had a wonderful start to the campaign with Napoli as he looks to make the fans forget about last season’s disappointments. Here’s a look at how the Italian has managed to keep Napoli on top. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
