Soccer-Napoli are not going to San Siro to wave the white flag, says Conte


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v Atalanta - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - November 3, 2024 Napoli coach Antonio Conte reacts during the match REUTERS/Ciro De Luca/File Photo

(Reuters) - Napoli boss Antonio Conte has fond memories of his time at Inter Milan but the Italian said on Friday that his side will give no quarter when his league leaders face the reigning champions in a top-of-the-table clash in Serie A.

Conte revived Inter and helped them break Juventus's nine-year stranglehold on the Scudetto, stopping their run in the 2020-21 season to win the title for the first time since their treble-winning campaign in 2009-10.

Now at Napoli, a club that is looking to return to the heights of their 2022-23 title win, Conte's side are top of Serie A with 25 points after 11 games -- a point above Inter ahead of Sunday's clash at the San Siro.

"It's definitely nice to return to where I worked and won. Yes, two happy years," Conte told reporters.

"It was a wonderful experience that I carry within me, like all the past ones that I lived to the fullest."

Napoli's winning run in Serie A came to a grinding halt against Atalanta last weekend when Conte's side were beaten 3-0 and the Italian said he is in no mood to drop three points again against Simone Inzaghi's team.

"The three points is always important, it is inevitable that we face a team that today, for everything they have shown, is the strongest team," Conte said.

"We are not going to San Siro to wave the white flag before starting, but convinced to play our cards. Then we will see what happens. We are preparing in a major way, as we always do.

"It will be an important test, we will measure ourselves against the best and it will be important to understand our progress. Do not forget that we arrive at the top of the table... and the objective is to remain at the top."

Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku has scored only one goal in his last four games but when asked about his form, Conte said he was tired of questions about the Belgian striker.

"At every blessed conference there is always the question about Lukaku. It becomes a bit, not annoying, but we are talking about the team. Lukaku's growth depends on the growth of the team," Conte said.

"But I am confident because I see them every day, they want to work and improve. I see a lot of commitment and I would not reduce it to a single player. It is not fair to the others."

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Football

Soccer-Camarda in for injured Morata against Cagliari, says Milan boss Fonseca
Soccer-Luis Enrique to rotate PSG squad for Angers trip
Soccer-FA imposes three-match ban on Man Utd coach Fletcher for confronting referee
Soccer-Guardiola confident City will avoid fourth straight loss
Soccer-Rice a doubt for Arsenal's trip to Chelsea, says boss Arteta
Soccer-Girona counting cost of injuries in congested schedule, says coach Michel
Soccer-Van Nistelrooy proud of stint as interim boss, hopes to stay on at Man Utd
Soccer-Alonso demands Leverkusen improve focus over 90 minutes against Bochum
Soccer-Chelsea sweating on Palmer's fitness ahead of Arsenal clash
Soccer-Juve at '200%' ahead of Motta's first Turin derby

Others Also Read