Napoli coach Antonio Conte calls for a strong response from his team after their Serie A defeat to Torino, as they face PSV in the Champions League.
Antonio Conte is looking for his Napoli team to bounce back from their Serie A defeat to Torino, as they face PSV in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Napoli surrendered top spot to AC Milan after Giovanni Simeone’s 32nd-minute strike clinched all three points at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.
Conte was pleased with his team’s performance in Turin, but acknowledged that the result was negative and affected the overall judgment. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the positives and moving forward, as Napoli prepares to face PSV.
PSV is an excellent team, having won the Dutch championship last season, and Conte warned his players to be careful. The Dutch side has a particular type of football, and Napoli needs to be prepared.
The only previous meetings between PSV and Napoli were in the 2012-13 Europa League group stage, with PSV winning both home and away fixtures.
Napoli has lost each of their last three away games in the Champions League, and a loss here would equal their longest losing streak away from home in the competition.
Conte believes that the increase in fixtures this season is part of the reason why Napoli has conceded more goals compared to the same stage last season. He emphasized the need for the team to be more solid and to take advantage of scoring opportunities.
Noa Lang, who returned to PSV following his reported €28m move to Naples over the summer, is growing tactically, according to Conte. Lang has failed to register a goal or an assist for Napoli, but Conte believes he will soon get a game in the starting lineup.
Conte has been working on Lang’s development, and he believes the player is adapting to the team’s tactics. Lang’s experience playing for PSV will be valuable, and Conte is confident that he will contribute to the team’s success.
Napoli will look to get back on track in the Champions League, and Conte is optimistic about their chances against PSV.
