Sassuolo v Napoli, Conte faces Grosso again: from former pupil to rival | OneFootball

The new Serie A calendar immediately offers an interesting twist: the Italian champion Napoli challenges the newly promoted Sassuolo, but the most intriguing plot unfolds on the bench.

Sassuolo-Napoli, Conte meets Grosso again, from former student to rival

Antonio Conte and Fabio Grosso cross paths again, after years of professional ties that root back to Juventus, reports Gazzetta.

From journey companions to bench rivals

It was 2011 when Antonio Conte, just landed at the helm of Juventus, made drastic decisions about the future of several players. Among these was also Fabio Grosso, 2006 world champion, who found himself on the fringes of the squad. Despite his professionalism and desire to stay, that season saw him only in two brief appearances. No open conflict with Conte, but a relationship lacking real technical harmony.

Grosso stayed at Juventus until his contract expired, already beginning to mature that field vision that would lead him, years later, to embark on a coaching career. He started right in Juventus Under 19, the same context that, ironically, brought them together again, albeit in different roles.

Philosophies compared

Conte is today the coach of Napoli, called to confirm the title and consolidate a winning cycle. Grosso, on the other hand, is the face of Sassuolo's rebirth: after promotion, his mission is to build a team capable of competing in the top flight and maintaining the category.

Despite different paths, both have learned from the great coaches they had in their careers: Conte from Lippi and Trapattoni, Grosso from figures like Cosmi, Guidolin, Delneri, and Mancini. “I tried to take something from everyone, but ideas only work if they are born within you,” Grosso stated, who in 2017 at Bari wrote a page of history with five victories in the first six games at San Nicola.

A crossroads worth more than three points

The challenge between Napoli and Sassuolo is not just a matter of results: it is the comparison between an established coach, used to fighting for important goals, and an emerging coach, considered by Carnevali "the right mix between Antonio Conte and Simone Inzaghi".

The first matchday, as always, escapes any prediction. For Conte, the goal is to start strong and give continuity to the winning mentality. For Grosso, the debut is already a test of maturity: facing the master of the past, now as an equal.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.