Napoli supervisor Antonio Conte referred to as for calm heads when his crew bid to clinch the Serie A title on Friday, underlining his deep sense of accountability to town whereas expressing remorse to be watching from the stands because of suspension.
Napoli are one level forward of Inter Milan, who face Como away Friday, within the standings going into the final sport of the season at dwelling to Cagliari.
“We now have come by a really demanding season and clearly this may very well be the final match that closes a season for me in a brand new place, a brand new setting, the place we clearly really feel the accountability to provide Naples, the followers, one thing stunning and historic,” Conte advised reporters on Thursday.
The supervisor is not going to be on the bench after feelings ran excessive within the scoreless draw in opposition to Parma final day trip. Conte and Parma coach Cristian Chivu have been concerned in a shouting match and despatched off on the finish of the sport. His title-contending counterpart Simone Inzaghi will even be within the stands after being despatched off in Inter’s 2-2 draw with Lazio on Sunday.
“I remorse not being there. After a season like this, you wish to be there, along with your followers, to guide the crew,” Conte mentioned.
“There’s nice belief in my employees, as all the time, within the followers, within the ambiance that will likely be there, and even when I will likely be within the stands, my coronary heart will likely be there.
“We now have had every little thing from them [fans], closeness in constructive moments and in damaging moments after we faltered a bit. They instantly had religion in the entire group. What I really feel like saying is to proceed being who they’re.”
Conte mentioned he’ll deal with the Cagliari match like a traditional sport.
“Tomorrow there’s Cagliari, a superb crew, and we have now to play our sport respecting the opponent 100%. If we respect them, we may have extra possibilities to win,” Conte mentioned.
“We all know very effectively that the work has introduced us right here at the moment to speak about one thing particular. We now have to attempt to end the job.”
If Napoli do safe the Scudetto on Friday, Conte would turn out to be the primary coach to win Serie A with three completely different groups after having already led Juventus to 3 whereas in cost from 2011-14 and profitable it with Inter in 2021.
“We now have our enamel into it and we mustn’t let go,” Conte mentioned.
Fabio Capello lifted league trophies with AC Milan (4 occasions) and AS Roma earlier than steering Juventus to back-to-back triumphs in 2005 and 2006, however the Bianconeri have been stripped of each of these titles due to the Calciopoli refereeing scandal.
That additionally noticed Juventus demoted to the second division and their glory days have been lengthy behind it when Conte took over and instantly renewed its dominance of Italian soccer.
Conte additionally ended an 11-year title drought at Inter.
Napoli has not had as lengthy a wait having received Serie A in 2023, however reclaiming it will be arguably one in every of Conte’s greatest achievements.
The 55-year-old Conte inherited a crew that was coming off a horrible season, having put up one of many worst title defenses in historical past, ending tenth and churning by three coaches.
Key gamers departed together with Victor Osimhen, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kim Min-Jae.
The town of Naples is fizzing with pleasure on the prospect of a second title in three years. That is a shorter span than the 2 championships in 4 seasons with Diego Maradona in 1987 and 1990.
Conte mentioned after Napoli’s penultimate match that he simply had one factor to inform his gamers: “Let’s go get this Scudetto!”
Data from Reuters and The Related Press was used on this story.
