Ex-Napoli star says Conte’s side as strong as Spalletti’s and wishes for Scudetto play-off | OneFootball

Ex Napoli star Massimo Mauro believes Antonio Conte’s side already ‘deserves a 10’ for what they’ve done so far in Serie A, as he sees in them the ‘same strength’ as Luciano Spalletti’s title-winning outfit.

Mauro has also lifted the Scudetto with the Partenopei in 1990, playing alongside Diego Maradona, and he would wish to see his former side finish level on points with Inter, which would result in a decisive play-off as per the new rules.

BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, gives the team instructions during the Serie A match between Atalanta and Napoli at Gewiss Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Mauro: Napoli and Inter to keep Scudetto fight alive ‘until the end’, Conte a ‘guarantee’

“If it were up to me, I’d go for a playoff, imagine how great it would be – a Napoli-Inter game for the title,” he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“They will fight until the end, more or less, bringing along their history and current authority.”

Mauro is confident that Napoli have the means to keep the title race alive until the end, even after losing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to PSG, as he believes the Georgian ace was not ‘a leader’ and insists the Partenopei have their own ‘guarantee’ in Antonio Conte.

“I’ve always had some doubts about him,” Mauro said on Kvaratskhelia.

“He’s instinct and impulse, not a leader. An important player, of course, but not irreplaceable, and in fact, Neres is showing that Napoli can manage without Kvara.

“Conte knows exactly where to make changes, he’s the guarantee, knowing how to guide players like Lukaku, McTominay, and Lobotka. I see in this Napoli the same strength as Spalletti’s: every result is well-deserved.”

NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 08: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli battles for possession with Adam Marusic of SS Lazio during the Serie A match between Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 08, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

As for Napoli’s main Scudetto opponents, the former midfielder listed the characteristics that make Inter hard to compete with.

“It’s not easy to play against them; they know how to suffer, and they’ve proven it,” he explained.

“It’s difficult to get a shot on target against them; they have a squad of extremely high value – Lautaro and Thuram, Calha and Barella, add the others if you want – and a coach who’s taught them how to resist and react.”

Mauro also played for Udinese, who are going to face each other in the upcoming Serie A weekend.

“It’s their game,” he claimed.

“I am the past that connects two worlds, so to speak. But the protagonists are them, two clubs that have always done extraordinary things, each in their own way and according to their capabilities.

“Conte’s Napoli deserves a 10 already, and if they triumph, we’ll add an extra commendation; but even in Udine, there is football that should be studied, as it has always been.”