Antonio Conte believes Napoli were undeserving of their 3-2 defeat against Bologna. However, he concedes that conceding early goals is becoming a consistent problem, stating it’s “evidently not a fluke.” The manager emphasized the team’s immediate priority is to secure Champions League football.
Napoli entered the match knowing a victory would have guaranteed their place in the Champions League with two games remaining. They found themselves trailing 2-0 due to goals from Federico Bernardeschi and Riccardo Orsolini. Despite a comeback spurred by goals from Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Alisson Santos, a late acrobatic volley from Jonathan Rowe sealed their defeat in added time.
Conte’s Frustration with Napoli’s Stumbles
“When you press, you have to do it properly, because if you only do it half-heartedly, you just end up running around for nothing,” Conte told DAZN Italia. “We could have been more determined in our pressing, but it’s not the first time this season we’ve been 2-0 down, which means it’s not a fluke. Evidently, we need to be more determined in our initial approach because it keeps happening.”
“We managed to get back on track, tried to win, and pushed hard, but if you can’t win, you should at least try not to lose. I don’t think we deserved to lose, but these things happen.”
“There are two games left, we need to recharge our batteries, secure Champions League football in these two matches, and try to do our best. I am not upset with the performance; I saw the lads wanted to get the job done tonight, but at times, there’s a twist in the tale.”
The defeat leaves Napoli in a precarious position regarding Champions League qualification. They are now only two points ahead of Juventus in third place, three points clear of Milan and Roma. Even Como, further down the table, are within striking distance, just five points adrift.
Conte also addressed the performance of Rasmus Hojlund, who, despite being repeatedly instructed from the touchline for wandering offside, is working harder than when he first joined from Manchester United. “Let us not forget, he is the only striker we have in the squad right now, so he’s playing constantly,” noted Conte. “I wish I had the chance to give him some rest. He’s young, has a lot of energy; there are moments when you need to attack the space, others when you hold up the ball. He is only 23, works hard for the team, and has room for improvement.”
Regarding Alisson Santos, who impressed with his runs at defenders, Conte was asked if he could fill the void left by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain. “Alisson is improving; we are trying to use him in a way that can make the most of his characteristics. He arrived from Sporting, where he had basically never started a match, so it required a lot of work, and he has improved a lot,” replied Conte. “The other problem is once the defenders get to know him, it all becomes more difficult.”