The Cult of Calcio
·2 novembre 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsThe Cult of Calcio
·2 novembre 2024
Antonio Conte is adamant Napoli need more than ‘prayers’ to achieve what would’ve been an astonishing Scudetto triumph. During his latest interview, as reported by ESPN, the former Juventus and Inter manager explained what it would take for the Partenopei to dethrone the Nerazzurri this season.
It’s been a remarkable start to the new Serie A campaign for Napoli. Following a disastrous 10th-place finish in 2023/24 and a 3-0 thrashing at Hellas Verona on the opening weekend, the Partenopei seemed doomed. However, Aurelio De Laurentiis knew what he was doing when he hired Conte after alternating between three managers last term.
Conte has inspired Napoli to a phenomenal nine-game unbeaten league streak (W8, D1), bookended by a 2-0 away win to Milan in midweek Serie A action. That triumph maintained their four-point lead on runners-up Inter ahead of Sunday’s mouth-watering home clash against high-flying Atalanta.
“I am a man of faith, even practically, and I know only one person who performs them,” the Napoli boss said in the build-up to the game. “I always pray, even for the team, that they are well, in addition to my family there is also a prayer for the players.
“We must work, all of us, from the cook and the kit man to create something beautiful that can give extra points in a championship,” Conte continued. “We cannot make any mistakes in this, we are not in a position to make mistakes. Then, football miracles have always happened, but you have to work to hope it happens, it’s not enough to pray.“
Napoli have gone from strength to strength at Stadio Diego Maradona this season, winning all five league matches via an aggregate score of 11-2.