Antonio Conte insists his tactical revolution at Napoli was ‘a necessity’ as a result of harm disaster and hopes ‘nothing else occurs’ in opposition to Benfica tonight.
It kicks off on the Estadio da Luz at 20.00 GMT.
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NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 01: Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach throughout the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 01, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photographs)
The Partenopei are brimming with confidence after vital Serie A victories in opposition to Roma and Juventus to remain high of the desk alongside AC Milan.
It’s a outstanding run contemplating the harm disaster, which has dominated out Stanislav Lobotka, Billy Gilmour, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Miguel Gutierrez and Romelu Lukaku.
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Conte counts remaining Napoli gamers
NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 25: Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD5 match between SSC Napoli and Qarabag FK at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photographs)
“In a really troublesome spell that we couldn’t have predicted or ready for, the nice factor is that the lads at all times stepped as much as the plate,”
“Throughout these first six months, there have been video games just like the one at PSV Eindhoven that didn’t make us pleased. We should at all times attempt to enhance, as a result of once you fall down, you’ve acquired to get again in your ft and discover the proper path.
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“This season we’ve launched 9 new gamers, so it took time to combine all of them, and immediately they’re taking part in as a result of they deserve it and likewise as a result of we’re pressured to with the emergency state of affairs.”
Napoli are high of the Serie A desk and feeling assured, only a few weeks after some steered they had been in disaster.
“It’s simpler to select up velocity when the wind is in your sails, however when the wind is in opposition to you, somebody is required to steer the boat into the proper route,” replied Conte.
NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 22: Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach throughout the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Atalanta BC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 22, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photographs)
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Within the midst of the harm disaster, he took management and adjusted the tactical system to a 3-4-2-1 formation, however insists it was much less inspiration, extra desperation.
“We went again to a three-man defence as a result of we had been obliged to, as we don’t have any midfielders left aside from Lobotka and McTominay,” continued Conte.
“It’s a necessity. Elmas is a joker within the pack who’s doing very nicely, as a result of he’s a wise lad who picks issues up in a short time, and we catapulted him into this place.
“All we’ve acquired on the bench is Vergara, who has promise, however I needed to discover a answer only for these I had left. All those that acquired injured in midfield, aside from Lobotka, shall be out for some time, so we hope that nothing else occurs.”
Conte had stated earlier than the Juventus sport that Lobotka’s harm shouldn’t be severe and he ought to be again in a few weeks.