Il Napoli beats Modena on penalties and goes through to the round of 32 Italian Cup. In the first official outing of the season, the Azzurri did not go beyond 0-0 in regulation time and then won from eleven meters thanks to a super Meret. A winning success but with a thrill, therefore, for Anthony Conte on his debut on the bench of the Neapolitans. At the end of the match the Salento coach himself spoke to the microphones of Mediaset:
Are you 100% convinced that the players can perform well with a three-man defense?
“Last year they played with 4-3-3 and came tenth, conceding 48 goals and struggling. With this system you have more coverage, being able to implement the game of Kvara and Politano who come inside the field and don’t give reference points, avoiding being doubled up. There are games like these in which beyond ball possession you don’t hit the target. Statistically speaking there is no history, in front of goal we weren’t very clear and we could have done better by bringing more men into the area and putting the ball on
Speaking of filling the area, is it a matter of men or game development?
“It’s a question of developing the game. Politano, Kvara, Spinazzola and the central midfielders and one defender must get into the area. Obviously we then expose ourselves to counterattacks like Modena’s. However, we can improve.”
What good do you take home besides the result?
“We have to keep working and we could have given a few more goals to the fans. There is a lot of work to do on the pitch and also for the club. There are objective things that I don’t want to underline”.
On the lack of a centre forward and second lines a week before the start of the championship:
“Raspadori and Simeone did their job, many times we left them alone in the area, then Modena defended with many men. We cannot therefore judge their game too much. I consider both Jack and Giovanni important for facing the season, I like them. There are things that are too objective. I have put myself completely at the disposal of the club, I was very enthusiastic about coming. We know that we have some limits in terms of salary, and that some players in Naples do not want to come because there are no Cups. I only want the best for Naples, we must strengthen the squad. Tonight was a nice dose of reality for everyone“.
