Antonio Conte will come away the happier of the 2 head coaches this night as his Napoli facet beat Sporting 2-1.
A brace from Rasmus Hojlund, with each objectives assisted by Kevin De Bruyne, was sufficient to offer Conte’s facet all three factors in a tricky sport in opposition to a plucky Portuguese outfit.
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It was an essential win for Conte’s facet, placing their opening sport defeat to Manchester Metropolis behind them as they appear to press ahead within the Champions League.
Conte on De Bruyne state of affairs
Chatting with Sky Sport after the sport, the coach opened by speaking in regards to the media hypothesis a few rift with De Bruyne, after the Belgian was indignant with being substituted within the loss to Milan on the weekend.
“Kevin, in comparison with the opposite signings, comes from a distinct actuality. He spent years at Metropolis and performed on the very highest degree,” the coach mentioned.
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“I’ve nothing to say to him, he’s an excellent lad and he works laborious. I perceive his want to play, however there are additionally substitutions. I need to win and if I make them, it’s with the intention of enhancing the group.
“Then it’s regular that within the media they’re mentioned relying on the outcomes – the essential factor is that everybody provides their all for the group.”
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 01: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his facet first objective throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD2 match between SSC Napoli and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 01, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photographs)
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Conte on Napoli tactical tweaks
The win places Napoli nineteenth within the league part desk for the meantime, with 3 factors from their first two video games.
Conte mentioned Napoli’s tactical choices, saying:
“We’ve got two paths.
“Both we proceed on this path with 4 midfielders, as I believe we should always as a result of we now have nice room for enchancment, or we will play with a 4-3-3 as we did on the finish of the sport tonight, maybe alternating between a extra bodily midfield and a extra technical one during which De Bruyne can play as a mezzala. The essential factor is that everybody sacrifices themselves in each phases.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, appears to be like on previous to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD1 match between Manchester Metropolis and SSC Napoli at Metropolis of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Picture by Dan Istitene/Getty Photographs)
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Lastly, the coach concluded by reflecting on the defeat to Milan and the present state he sees his group in.
“To me, the efficiency in Milan didn’t displease me in any respect,” Conte mentioned, “however the two objectives got here from conditions the place we might have achieved higher. We’ve talked about easy methods to enhance. Relating to the damaging features, you must be constructive and attempt to work on them.”
He continued, “It’s clear that if at San Siro you go two objectives down in opposition to Milan, it’s troublesome to return again. However we managed the sport and for my part this can be a step ahead in comparison with final yr. Final season in Milan we received 2–0 nevertheless it was Milan who made the sport. Even right here on the Maradona, we have been in danger till the top.
“At the moment I see a really mature group by way of sport administration. However we mustn’t lose the traits we had, the aggression and the worry, as a result of wholesome worry makes you run again. We attempt to push ahead, however after we get bypassed, we should instantly get well.”