Napoli’s Antonio Conte Encourages Players to Embrace Title Challenge Before Key Clash with Inter

Napoli’s squad should relish their position near the top of Serie A without succumbing to the pressures of the title chase, said manager Antonio Conte on Friday, ahead of their crucial match against league leaders Inter Milan.

Currently, Napoli sits on 56 points after 26 matches, just one point adrift of Inter. They aim to reinforce their title win from the 2022/23 campaign and erase the memories of a disappointing previous season that saw them finish 10th and miss out on European competition.

“Considering the standings, I anticipated a Napoli that, after seven months, would start to take shape,” Conte, who took over at the beginning of the season, remarked to the media.

“Being in this position should instil pride in us, but it must not create pressure.

“I’ve told the players that pressure can be both a positive and a negative force. That’s why I urge them to enjoy this moment. Our current standing is a result of our hard work…

“This match holds significance in terms of the standings, as there are three vital points at stake and several teams are closely vying for position.”

Napoli will miss influential midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa for Saturday’s home match against Inter, due to a calf injury sustained during last Sunday’s defeat to Como.

When asked if Billy Gilmour or Philip Billing would step in for Anguissa, Conte replied: “Good question, it’s been on my mind all week.

“I still have 24 hours to make a decision, and I appreciate your technical question because it’s very specific. Either option could be valid.

“We’ll aim to make the best choice by assessing the players and always looking for a solution to the injuries, which are part of our journey.

“Some players recover quickly, while others may take longer. However, we need to find a resolution. We’ve been working on it, and you’ll see our choice tomorrow.”

Conte confirmed that left-backs Mathias Olivera and Leonardo Spinazzola are ready to play against Inter.

“We’ve got everyone fit. Spinazzola played the full match against Como and we managed his workload well this week,” the Italian coach stated.

“Mathias had a more serious issue; it was a recurring calf injury that he’s been working to overcome. They are both ready, and we will evaluate which option is the best going forward.”