Napoli’s recent victory over Roma, thanks to Romelu Lukaku’s goal, has placed them at the top of Serie A. Despite this achievement, Antonio Conte urges his team to focus on improvement rather than their current standing.
Napoli leads by a narrow margin, with Atalanta, Inter, Fiorentina, Lazio, and Juventus closely trailing in the title race.
Conte emphasised the importance of focusing on performance rather than league positions. “Before the match, I told the lads not to look at the table, but to focus on ourselves and improving what we are working on,” he stated. He believes that maintaining this mindset is crucial for taking necessary steps forward.
Napoli needed a win after drawing with Inter and losing 3-0 to Atalanta before the international break. Conte expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance for most of the match against Roma but acknowledged areas needing improvement. He noted that they could have capitalised better on their chances and managed the final minutes more effectively.
Roma, under new coach Claudio Ranieri, nearly equalised when Artem Dovbyk’s header hit the post. Ranieri returned from retirement to lead Roma after Ivan Juric’s departure earlier in November. Despite limited opportunities at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Ranieri remains optimistic about his team’s potential.
Ranieri reflected on Roma’s challenges and his role in addressing them: “If we look back, we have some problems and that is why I was called.” He praised his players’ determination and acknowledged mistakes that need addressing. His focus is on fostering resilience and encouraging players to support each other.
Conte recognised Roma’s eagerness under new management but stressed Napoli should have handled the closing stages better. “We still should’ve dealt with the final 15-20 minutes better,” he remarked. Napoli sat too deep towards the end, complicating their position against a motivated Roma side.
Ranieri sees progress in his team’s attitude since his arrival. “Naturally, when I arrived, the team was a little closed up,” he said. However, he observed signs of openness developing during the second half against Napoli. This change gives him hope for future improvements.
Despite their current position atop Serie A, Napoli must continue refining their game to maintain momentum in a competitive title race. Both Conte and Ranieri recognise areas for growth within their squads as they prepare for upcoming challenges in the league season ahead.
