Conte Urges Napoli to Build on Inter Draw in Scudetto Bid

Napoli manager Antonio Conte praised his team's fighting spirit after a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan, saying they can push for the Serie A title.

Napoli's manager Antonio Conte believes his team's fighting spirit in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Inter Milan demonstrates their ability to contend for the Serie A title. The match was a crucial top-of-the-table clash, with Napoli risking a further slip in the Scudetto race after surrendering first place to Inter the previous weekend.

Conte's side showed resilience, however, as a late goal from Philip Billing kept Napoli just one point off the pace. “This match was important not only for the standings, but also for a matter of personality,” Conte told reporters. He emphasized that the team's performance sent a significant message about their capabilities.

With 11 games remaining in the season, Conte stressed that Napoli's proximity to the top of the table should motivate them to pursue the Scudetto. “With 11 games to go, being one point from the top must make us understand that, despite the difficulties, if we want, we can play for the Scudetto until the end,” Conte said. He added, “This is the message that must be clear, first of all to ourselves, then to the outside.”

Although Napoli trailed at halftime, they managed to salvage a 1-1 draw against Inter Milan three minutes from time. Despite the positive result, Napoli may feel they should have secured a victory, given their dominant performance in the second half. Reflecting on the outcome, manager Antonio Conte expressed satisfaction with his team's position in the standings.

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“We all would have signed up to be in this position at this point of the season,” Conte said. He also acknowledged the strength of their opponents, stating, “Inter are a top team, built over time and difficult to beat.” Conte took pride in Napoli's ability to match the reigning champions, noting, “Having shown that we can stand up to them and, for long stretches, having even been superior, must give us great confidence.”

Conte's comments came as a response to Napoli's disappointing 2-1 defeat at Como the previous Sunday. He emphasized the importance of building on their strong performance against Inter, saying, “This must give us confidence and make us understand if we are this, or that of the lacklustre second half in Como, which I have not tolerated all week.” Conte urged his team to maintain their momentum, stating, “Having put in this performance in this way must give us a lot of confidence and at the same time we must understand that if we want to, we can.”

Conte concluded by emphasizing the importance of hard work and unity in achieving their goals. “Wanting means working and pedalling more than others,” he said. “Our goal is to stay united to continue being an annoyance until the end.”