Antonio Conte feels that many underappreciated Napoli’s 2025-26 Serie A title win, in addition to their harm troubles in 2025-26, however feels that his squad are in a great place to tackle Bologna within the remaining of the Supercoppa Italiana on Monday night.
The reigning Serie A champions in Riyadh on Thursday night, which arrange a date with reigning Coppa Italia victors Bologna, who within the different semi-final on Friday evening.
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That is the primary alternative of silverware for the Italian sides in 2025-26, and for Conte, it could be two trophies received from a potential three since he took over at Napoli if he claims victory in Saudi Arabia tomorrow evening.
Conte previews Napoli vs. Bologna Supercoppa Italiana remaining
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 18: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, appears to be like on previous to the Supercoppa Italiana Semi-Remaining match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at King Saud College Stadium on December 18, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photograph by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Photos)
Beating Bologna will probably be no straightforward feat for Conte and his gamers, who’ve already slipped to a defeat towards the Rossoblu in Serie A this season.
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“The league sport towards Bologna clearly wasn’t a constructive end result for us. We misplaced 2-0, the place they confirmed much more than us within the second half. Accidents have pressured us to search out new options,” Conte informed the media throughout his pre-match on Sunday afternoon.
“Whether or not it’s victory or defeat, you all the time have to begin over. From defeats, you analyse what went improper. We did that in a peaceful and sincere method and put collectively 5 consecutive respectable outcomes. We slipped twice however bought off to a great begin (within the Supercoppa Italiana) towards Milan.”
And the way have the Napoli squad responded since their encouraging 2-0 victory over Milan within the semi-final?
“Victories convey you vitality and confidence. We’re taking part in for a trophy and I believe that’s an enormous enhance for many who play on this remaining. When it comes to vitality, we’ve recovered. As I all the time say to the boys, you solely ever keep in mind who received. And it’ll all the time be like that.”
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 18: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli celebrates scoring his staff’s second objective with teammate Giovanni Di Lorenzo throughout the Supercoppa Italiana Semi-Remaining match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at King Saud College Stadium on December 18, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photograph by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Photos)
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Conte was requested if he fears that Bologna will probably be ‘hungrier’ for a trophy than Napoli, who’ve been barely extra accustomed to successful silverware over the previous couple of seasons.
“If so, that will be the tip for us. They should show that they’re higher than us. Now we have to, a minimum of, match their want to win.”
Conte was requested what it takes to get again to successful methods after two consecutive unlucky losses towards Udinese and Benfica during the last two weeks.
He replied: “We will’t neglect the place we’ve come from. We received a rare Scudetto after ending the season earlier than in tenth place. That’s one thing that’s not emphasised sufficient. I’ve already mentioned that it could be a troublesome yr since we’ve introduced in 9 new gamers, however ultimately, we’re the place we ought to be within the league.
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“We’ve come right here to play for the Supercoppa, and we’re within the remaining. We’ve bought an opportunity to win a title and progress in different competitions. Many neglect that we’ve had critical accidents to essential gamers.”
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 25: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli injured throughout the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photos)
And when requested for his opinions on Vincenzo Italiano, Conte mentioned: “I can solely communicate effectively of Vincenzo. He has an ideal want to study and enhance. He’s labored his method up, as I did, and he’s all the time completed effectively wherever he’s gone. He’s bought numerous ardour and all the time desires to enhance.
“Us coaches should attempt to develop and enhance our information day by day. He’s hungry, he desires to get there, he has ardour and he exhibits it. He does an ideal job wherever he goes.”