Antonio Conte admits Napoli are ‘conceding too many objectives’ just lately after , however defends his selections for the beginning XI and substitutions.
The Partenopei went into this sport with a completely new defence, having misplaced Leonardo Spinazzola, Mathias Olivera, Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno to damage, so summer season signings Luca Marianucci and Miguel Gutierrez made their debuts.
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan is challenged by Luca Marianucci of Napoli throughout the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
Commercial
It was a shock begin for Marianucci, who was shrugged off by Christian Pulisic to arrange the Alexis Saelemaekers opener within the third minute, then the American scored the second himself.
The sport modified on the hour mark when Pervis Estupinan noticed pink for a foul on Giovanni Di Lorenzo, permitting Kevin De Bruyne to transform the penalty, however David Neres noticed his stoppage-time strike clip the woodwork, as 10-man Milan held on.
Conte stands up for Napoli after first defeat
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli throughout the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
Commercial
“It’s a pity we conceded so early, the group as a complete may’ve achieved higher on each these conditions,”
“Beginning at San Siro and being a objective down after 4 minutes shouldn’t be simple. We performed our sport general, I favored the group within the first half too, we pressed Milan very excessive, created scoring alternatives, however there’s work to do, as a result of we’ve been conceding too many objectives currently. In the event you have a look at the 2 in opposition to Pisa and the 2 in the present day, they’re including up.
“Defending has all the time been our biggest energy, so we’ve obtained to maintain working and enhancing. Nonetheless, coming right here with this type of authority in opposition to a stable Milan aspect at San Siro, that also ought to provide us constructive sensations. On the similar time, we all know that there’s work to do and enchancment in sure areas.”
This end result signifies that Napoli are actually caught on the prime of the Serie A desk on 12 factors by each Milan and Roma, dropping their excellent begin to the season.
Commercial
“It was our first defeat in 5 rounds, which was in opposition to a really sturdy Milan aspect at San Siro. It could occur for them to attain two objectives, however the lads additionally know we should do higher as a group. I need to reiterate, it’s about the entire group needing a bit extra focus and focus, as a result of we made life tough for ourselves at 2-0 down.
“We nonetheless pushed onerous and created scoring alternatives, however you’ve obtained to complete them too.”
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli
scores a penalty objective throughout the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
Commercial
Conte was pressed on a few of his selections, as Marianucci and Gutierrez had not performed a single minute of soccer for Napoli till their debuts this night within the beginning XI. Was the previous Empoli man chosen as a result of he’s not on the Champions League checklist, due to this fact resting Sam Beukema for midweek?
“Marianucci is a participant who was purchased by Napoli, so he’s a part of the squad. He has been coaching properly and earned this chance to play, he has nice potential and proved he can belong on this group,” defined the coach.
“On Wednesday, we hope that nothing occurs to Juan Jesus and Beukema, as a result of we don’t have some other centre-backs. Di Lorenzo is suspended within the Champions League too, whereas Spinazzola and Olivera have muscular issues.
“If you play each three days and all the defence will get injured, you must make evaluations,” added Conte.
Commercial
“We should recognise that these gamers arrived to not exchange the primary selection stars, so we’ll want time and persistence to allow them to develop. On the similar time, they should play in aggressive video games to undergo that course of.
“Gutierrez hadn’t performed for a lot of months, however Pasquale Mazzocchi was not totally match both, so we needed to power the scenario there.”
as a part of a triple change on 73 minutes, additionally taking off Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay.
“I attempted to introduce recent legs, as Milan have been clamming up, and we would have liked one thing completely different. I feel these have been the best adjustments to make at the moment,” replied Conte.
Commercial
The coach was additionally requested particularly about De Bruyne’s indignant muttering within the press convention, and gave a robust response.
“I hope he was irritated on the end result, as a result of if he was irritated about one thing else, he’s coping with the flawed particular person,” stated Conte.