Conte on where Napoli and Kvaratskhelia can improve | OneFootball

Antonio Conte explains where Napoli and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia still need to improve following the 1-0 victory over Roma that kept them top of the table. ‘We made it complicated for ourselves.’

The Partenopei were feeling the pressure after one point from their last two games, which whittled down their lead at the top of the table to just a single point.

However, Romelu Lukaku struck with the only goal against his former club, sliding in to meet the Giovanni Di Lorenzo assist and secure a 1-0 victory over Claudio Ranieri’s Roma.

“Before the match, I told the lads not to look at the table, but to focus on ourselves and improving what we are working on. I maintain that now too, because we need to take a series of steps to raise the level,” Conte told Sky Sport Italia.

The Giallorossi threatened to equalise when Artem Dovbyk’s header from an Angelino free kick thumped the crossbar.

“I was satisfied with the performance for a good 65 minutes today, we could’ve taken more of our chances and were up against a strong Roma who have great players. We needed to be more wary on set plays, as that allowed them to hit the crossbar.

“Roma were also making their debut under a new coach and therefore were very eager to prove themselves, but we still should’ve dealt with the final 15-20 minutes better, as we sat too deep and made it complicated for ourselves.”

Conte has Kvaratskhelia advice

NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 24: Frank Anguissa of Napoli talking to his head coach Antonio Conte during the Serie A match between Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 24, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Kvaratskhelia seemed visibly irritated when he was substituted, so Conte was asked what more the Georgia international can do to improve his performances?

“I think his first half was one of the best since I’ve been at Napoli. He returned from international duty with a few adductor issues, so hasn’t been training fully. Khvicha did what he needed to in the first half, but once we scored and I saw the team needed fresh legs, as well as not to risk doing any muscular damage to him.

“He’s training well, we should all be happy and ready to be part of this journey. I am very pleased with how he played in the first half, he had scoring opportunities too, but we can all keep working together and slowly improving together.”