Napoli’s goal: Meret v Milinkovic-Savic in Conte’s chosen duel | OneFootball

Far from being a backup goalkeeper. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic arrived at Napoli's training camp with a clear message, evident from the first training session: he's here to claim the starting gloves.

Napoli, there's no longer a single master between the posts: Meret and Milinkovic-Savic, the duel wanted by Conte begins

In the second summer retreat of the azzurri, after the ten days spent in Dimaro, what promises to be one of the most delicate and interesting internal challenges of the entire squad has officially started. Alex Meret, undisputed starter for years (but often the center of criticism), will now have to watch his back from a goalkeeper who arrives with a starting pedigree and the full support of Antonio Conte.

The dualism that benefits (everyone)

The Salento coach has never hidden his philosophy: competition is an engine, not a problem. And in the case of the goalkeeper, a role often locked in at the start of the season, he wanted to break the pattern. No written hierarchy, no privileges for "those who were here before". Milinkovic-Savic, coming off a convincing season at Torino, did not come to Napoli to warm the bench. Imposing physique, great presence between the posts, but also room for improvement: Conte aims to mold him as he has done in the past with other goalkeepers who, under his guidance, have made a decisive leap.

Meret, end of the monopoly

For Meret, the era of guaranteed position is over. After the triumph, Napoli decided to continue on a path already taken, with an investment that does not taste of simple reinforcement, but of warning. The arrival of Milinkovic-Savic is not the result of a crowded calendar, but of a precise will: to raise internal competition and put everything back into question, even between the posts.

The Friulian knows it well: the Serbian did not come to be an extra. And the first friendly outings, along with daily work at Castel di Sangro, will serve Conte to start measuring character, readiness and reliability of his two goalkeepers. Where before there was only one option, today there is a credible alternative. And this is precisely the most interesting aspect: in a role often overlooked in building a winning team, Conte has brought meritocracy and pressure. No comfort zone, no protections.

You don't win with a goalkeeper comfortable with their status. You don't build a cycle with someone who takes the jersey for granted. Meret will have to sweat every minute, Milinkovic-Savic will have to prove he deserves the trust. The real competition has begun. And Napoli can finally count on a dualism that promises to raise the overall level of the team. The coach's message is clear, unequivocal and destined to last: here only those who prove it on the field, day after day, play.

Andrea Alati

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