Napoli coach Antonio Conte responds sharply to Luciano Spalletti and Diego Costa ahead of a season-defining clash with Chelsea, as injuries continue to plague the Azzurri.
Antonio Conte has chosen the perfect moment to turn up the volume. On the eve of Napoli’s crucial showdown with Chelsea — a match that could define their season — the Azzurri head coach addressed recent controversies with his trademark mix of calm confidence and cutting remarks.
Speaking from Naples, Conte responded directly to comments made by Luciano Spalletti, who recently referred to Napoli as “former Italian champions.” Conte made it clear he found the wording disrespectful.
“You’re telling me this, because for me it’s an unfortunate phrase,” Conte said. “It lacked respect, and I would never have allowed myself to say something like that. Spalletti is a great coach, but maybe he should be more careful when he speaks. There are still 16 matches left. If he’s already written us off, then he’s taken the Scudetto away from us in January. That’s disappointing, because we worked hard to earn it — and respect is needed.”
Conte also brushed aside criticism from former Chelsea striker Diego Costa, refusing to fuel another public feud. “I’m not interested in what he said. I don’t waste time or energy reading what people say about me. What I remember is that with him I won a Premier League, and that he asked to be sold three times in one season. What he did after Chelsea, I honestly don’t know.”
With words exchanged, Conte quickly shifted focus to the present — and to Chelsea — in what he described as a moment of “total emergency” for Napoli.
Injuries continue to decimate the squad, pushing Conte to the edge of disbelief. “You always think things can’t get worse, and then they do,” he said with a smile. “This season has been inexplicable. Every team has injuries, usually muscular ones — two or three weeks and you’re back. But surgeries, joint injuries, months out? That’s hard to explain.”
Conte listed a staggering run of absences: Romelu Lukaku sidelined for six months, Kevin De Bruyne expected out for five, Billy Gilmour undergoing surgery, Neres forced into ankle surgery, Anguissa injured on international duty, and a squad stretched far beyond its limits. Despite that, Conte reminded everyone that Napoli have still managed to win a Supercoppa and remain competitive.
“If we started the season today with this squad, people would ask, ‘Where do they think they’re going?’” Conte said. “Yet we fight, we compete, we go to Turin and the result lies. We were not dominated — no one has dominated us all year. We go forward with our heads held high, without fear.”
On the tactical side, Conte confirmed he is evaluating new solutions now that Lukaku is slowly returning, including a possible two-striker system. However, creativity remains a concern, especially after losing Neres. “Without him we lack creativity. We’re looking at the market, because the two attacking midfielders behind the striker need to beat their man. If that doesn’t happen, we hope Lukaku can return at 100 percent — because right now he isn’t there yet.”
Finally, Conte made an emotional appeal ahead of Chelsea, urging Napoli supporters to play their part at the Stadio Maradona. “Chelsea are world champions, but we have a powerful ally: our stadium. The fans know how decisive they can be here. We need a blue wave pushing us forward.”
For Napoli, this is more than a match. As Scott McTominay put it, it could be the turning point of the season — and Conte’s Napoli have no intention of backing down now.
