Napoli manager Antonio Conte has launched a staunch defence of his team, hitting back at critics who he believes have unfairly scrutinised their performances. As Napoli prepare to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, Conte argues that expectations placed upon the team were "absurdly inflated."
Despite holding a narrow lead in Serie A after a recent 0-0 draw with Como, Napoli have faced criticism for their attacking output. Conte, however, remains unfazed. "Someone must have been scoring. We're top of the table," he retorted. He highlighted the constant shifting of focus, noting how the narrative changes from concerns about defensive solidity to criticisms of the attack, regardless of the team's actual performance.
Conte emphasized the significant challenges Napoli has faced this season, including injuries to key players like Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, and the recent return of Amir Rrahmani. Despite these setbacks, Napoli remains competitive, a fact Conte believes is often overlooked in the face of relentless criticism.
Meanwhile, Napoli forward Matteo Politano stressed the importance of their upcoming match against Eintracht Frankfurt. "We’ve had little time to prepare for the match, but we’re ready," Politano stated in a press conference. He highlighted the need to learn from their previous defeat in the Netherlands and to recognise the intensity and faster pace of Champions League football.
Politano acknowledged that Eintracht Frankfurt will present a tough challenge, predicting they will try to press Napoli. He emphasized the importance of approaching the match well and managing every situation effectively to secure a crucial victory.
Key Takeaways:
- Conte defends Napoli against what he sees as unfair criticism.
- He argues that expectations were unrealistically high.
- Politano emphasizes the importance of the Eintracht Frankfurt match.
- He warns of Eintracht's aggressive pressing style.
The Road Ahead
With key players returning from injury, Napoli will be looking to leverage their full squad in the crucial Champions League clash. The match against Eintracht Frankfurt is poised to be a challenging encounter, and Napoli will need to be at their best to secure a positive result.