Conte's Napoli Eye Year-End Surge to Top of Serie A

Antonio Conte's Napoli is pushing to reclaim the top spot in Serie A, seeking a win against Venezia to end the year on a high note.

Napoli is determined to wrap up the year on a high note by claiming top spot in Serie A. The team's coach, Antonio Conte, expressed his desire to start the New Year celebrations early with a win when they host Venezia on Sunday.

However, Conte cautioned that securing a victory against the struggling visitors won't be an easy task. Despite this, Napoli is confident in its abilities, having regained its impressive form under Conte's guidance this season. The 2023 champions currently occupy second place in the Serie A standings with 38 points, trailing leaders Atalanta by just two points.

Napoli is aiming to cap off the year by reclaiming the top spot in Serie A.

“We hope to close out 2024 with some more joy for the fans, for ourselves, to celebrate New Year's Eve in style,” Conte, who took over in June, told a press conference on Saturday.

“These have been five very intense months, lived to the max. The environment is beautiful, passionate, coaching in Naples really gives you a lot, but at the same time it is demanding in various aspects.

“I'm very happy, however, my goal and that of the lads, I always say, is to have no regrets in any situation and in any match. We must leave the pitch with the feeling of having given our all, without saying we could have done better.”

Napoli is poised to reclaim the top spot in Serie A, and their upcoming match against struggling Venezia appears to be a favorable opportunity. The significant gap in points and form between the two teams suggests that Napoli should be able to secure a win. Venezia, currently sitting in 19th place with 13 points, has struggled in their last seven Serie A games, managing only one victory, and has secured just three wins throughout the campaign.

However, Napoli's coach Antonio Conte is cautious about underestimating Venezia, citing the challenges they posed to other top teams. “Everyone is thinking of an easy victory just because Venezia are second to last, but if we see the home games of Juve and Inter (Milan against them) we should at least be worried,” Conte said. He acknowledged Venezia's strengths, stating, “(Venezia) have a good coach, they have their own concepts and ... for us they are three fundamental points to put hay in the barn.” Conte's words serve as a reminder that Napoli must remain focused to secure the crucial three points.

A win for Napoli would be even more valuable if Atalanta, who are currently on an impressive 11-game winning streak, were to stumble against fourth-placed Lazio later on Saturday. This would create an opportunity for Napoli to retake the top spot in Serie A.