Antonio Conte had no qualms about pulling the trigger after Napoli’s lackluster 2-2 home draw against Genoa on Sunday. Napoli completely controlled the game with advanced possession and a wealth of chances. They failed to get the win, leaving them with only a one-point advantage over second-placed Inter Milan, who squeaked past Torino.
Conte’s irritation stemmed from the numerous chances Napoli squandered during the match. He pointed out that his squad forced an impressive 22 shots on target. Of those, 11 were right on the money! Yet, that lack of precision in front of goal was very much their downfall.
Missed Opportunities
Speaking to DAZN after the match, Conte was adamant that it’s in the details where football is won or lost. He stated, “We are still going beyond our capabilities, so can only thank these players for everything. The bitterness today is because it was not a deserved draw, but I always tell them that details make the difference, and we could’ve done something better in those details today.”
As overwhelming as Napoli’s offense has been, Genoa made them pay for their few mistakes, scoring with both of their shots on target. Conte reflected on this aspect, saying, “Genoa had two shots on goal and scored both. These things happen too in football. When you concede a goal, you could’ve always done something better.”
Title Race Tensions
Now, with only two matches remaining in the season, Napoli is on the cusp of achieving it. Their stunning draw over the weekend may be threatening their bid for a championship. The home side had, after all, established a five-goal cushion from the first leg against Inter. The recent result has put the race even more sharply in play.
Conte acknowledged that Napoli has exceeded expectations this season. He remarked, “The last rounds represent a target that at the start was absolutely unthinkable. To achieve that would be incredible. These fans deserve it, as the people of Naples always followed us with passion and enthusiasm.”
Looking Ahead
As Napoli prepares for their upcoming fixtures, Conte’s focus remains on improvement. Most notably, he doubled down on his demand that his players make the most of their chances and sharpen their execution when it counts.
I don’t think I could have gotten more out of my players! They launched 22 shots at goal, 11 of them on target and really controlled possession. Sadly, we concluded the round at a stalemate. We can do better in these cases,” he said.
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