The coach applauds the team’s mentality through injuries and jokes that Elmas “deserves a statue”
Antonio Conte praised SSC Napoli for their mentality and resilience after a 2–1 victory over Torino FC in Serie A.
Speaking after the match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the Napoli manager highlighted how the squad has continued to deliver results despite a long list of injuries throughout the season.
“What makes me happiest is that even when we’re missing important players, we never lose our identity, our mentality, or our determination,” Conte said. “The players deserve credit because every time we’ve faced an emergency, they’ve responded.”
Napoli controlled much of the match against Torino, though the closing minutes became more complicated than Conte would have liked.
“We dominated the game and made it difficult for ourselves near the end,” he added. “But these were three very important points against a good Torino side.”
Key Players Returning
The win also marked the return of several important players, including André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Kevin De Bruyne, both back in action after lengthy injury layoffs.
Conte admitted he had been waiting a long time to see them return to the pitch.
“It almost feels like they were never gone, but the truth is they were out for months,” he said with a smile.
Napoli also spent extended periods without key attackers such as Romelu Lukaku and David Neres. Despite that, the team managed to stay competitive in the league and even lifted the Italian Super Cup earlier in the campaign.
“The strength of this group is that we never looked for excuses,” Conte said. “We kept working and stayed near the top of the table.”
More reinforcements could arrive soon, with Scott McTominay potentially returning to training next week.
Special Praise for Elmas
Conte reserved some of his warmest praise for Eljif Elmas, who has quietly become one of the most important players in Napoli’s lineup.
“Someone should build him a statue,” Conte joked.
The North Macedonian midfielder has started 18 consecutive matches and impressed the coach with his tactical intelligence and versatility.
“He understands football,” Conte explained. “He reads the game well, adapts to situations, and can play as a central midfielder or behind the striker.”
According to the Napoli manager, players like Elmas have been crucial in helping the team navigate a difficult stretch of the season.
“He’s a surprising player and incredibly useful for us,” Conte said. “Fortunately for us, we discovered just how important he can be.”
Building Momentum
Conte also pointed out the growing contributions of new arrivals like Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who is gradually adapting to Napoli’s tactical system.
“He’s starting to understand our mechanisms,” the coach said. “I want him to play with confidence and not be timid.”
With key players returning and Napoli regaining momentum, Conte believes the team is entering a crucial phase of the season with renewed energy.
“We can’t afford to give gifts to anyone right now,” he said. “Everyone has to earn their place.”
For a Napoli side that has battled through injuries all year, the message is clear: the hardest part of the season is still ahead — but they are ready for it.
