Conte: ‘Napoli lost our bonus, there is bitterness and regret’ | OneFootball

Antonio Conte admits Napoli ‘lost the bonus we had’ in the Scudetto race with the 2-2 draw against Genoa and there is ‘bitterness and regret,’ but they can still beat Inter to an ‘unthinkable’ title.

The Partenopei had the advantage of knowing Inter’s result already, but perhaps the 2-0 victory away to Torino only added further pressure onto their shoulders.

They twice took the lead at the Stadio Maradona this evening through Romelu Lukaku and then Giacomo Raspadori – both on Scott McTominay assists – but twice Genoa clawed their way back with an Honest Ahanor header that ricocheted in off Alex Meret and the late Johan Vasquez effort, also in the air.

“Genoa had two shots on goal and scored both. These things happen too in football, when you concede a goal, you could’ve always done something better,” Conte told DAZN.

“It’s disappointing, because we deserved to win for all that we created, so there remains bitterness and regret.”

Conte irritated after Napoli errors

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 11: Patrick Vieira Genoa head coach greets Antonio Conte Napoli head coach before the Serie A match between Napoli and Genoa at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 11, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

The coach seemed rather ill-tempered in the media interviews and did not disguise that frustration at conceding the late equaliser, pointing the finger at one of his substitutes.

“It irritates me not to win at the start of the season, let alone three games from the end. But this is football, it happens. Billing had come on to improve our aerial capabilities and deal with these situations, but the cross went over him for the equaliser,” added Conte.

“I could not have asked for more from my players, as they had 22 shots on goal, 11 of them on target, dominated possession, and in the end it was a draw. We must improve in these situations.”

It means Napoli are still at the top of the Serie A table, but their lead is cut to a single point with two rounds still to be played.

“We did not deserve to drop these two points, but at the same time we must remember we’ve lost the bonus that we had. We needed seven points from three rounds to win the title, now we need six points from two if we want to win the Scudetto, which would still be something incredible.”

Lobotka new injury worry for Napoli

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 11: Stanislav Lobotka of Napoli is injured during the Serie A match between Napoli and Genoa at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 11, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Conte had taken a gamble by starting Stanislav Lobotka, who was carrying an ankle injury, and it did not pay off because the Slovakian limped away just 13 minutes into the match.

Now it remains to be seen if he can recover to play in the final two matches, which are away to Parma and at home to Cagliari.

“We lost another player straight away, Lobotka, but throughout the campaign we never clung to bad luck or felt sorry for ourselves. Now we will try to find the best solution and if the others do better, then we tip our hats to them.”

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 11: Antonio Conte Napoli head coach reacts during the Serie A match between Napoli and Genoa at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 11, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

He has won the Scudetto at Juventus and Inter in very different circumstances, so what do these final two rounds represent in his coaching career?

“The last two steps represent a target that at the start was absolutely unthinkable. To achieve that would be incredible. These fans deserve it, as the people of Naples always followed us with passion and enthusiasm,” replied Conte.

“We are still going beyond our capabilities, so can only thank these lads for everything. The bitterness today is because it was not a deserved draw, but I always tell them that details make the difference, and we could’ve done something better in those details today.”