Napoli coach Antonio Conte insists ‘the staff that deserved it essentially the most went by way of’ to the Coppa Italia quarter-final after an ‘interminable’
The Partenopei discovered it a lot more durable than anticipated to get the higher of Cagliari and finish their Coppa Italia curse, having struggled to get past the Spherical of 16 in recent times.
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 03: Adam Obert of Cagliari battles for possession with Matteo Politano of SSC Napoli throughout the Coppa Italia spherical of 16 match between SCC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 03, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photographs)
Commercial
They’d taken the lead by way of Lorenzo Lucca’s header, however a ricochet off Scott McTominay helped ship Sebastiano Esposito by way of to attain the equaliser.
As there isn’t any further time within the Coppa Italia earlier than the semi-final, it went straight to a penalty shoot-out at 1-1, and even that dragged on to sudden demise after a Mattia Felici miss and Elia Caprile save on David Neres.
Specialist Vanja Milinkovic-Savic scored one, however solely made one save out of 10, denying Zito Luvumbo in order that Alessandro Buongiorno might internet the winner.
Conte felt the stress for Napoli
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 03: Alessandro Buongiorno and teammates of SSC Napoli rejoice their victory within the penalty shoot out throughout the Coppa Italia spherical of 16 match between SCC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 03, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photographs)
Commercial
“It was an interminable run of penalties, we would have liked a shoot-out to beat Modena final season within the Coppa Italia too,”
“This was a lot more durable, as a result of all of the gamers took excellent kicks, and it was troublesome for the goalkeepers. On the finish of the day, the staff that deserved it essentially the most went by way of.
“It’s a pity we conceded that aim with an unfortunate ricochet off McTominay, however I noticed an excellent response from everybody. We all know there aren’t many people out there in the intervening time, however we’ve acquired to simply hold going and do one of the best with what we’ve acquired.”
Conte has largely resisted squad rotation to this point this season between Serie A and the Champions League, however lastly gave gamers some uncommon begins this night, simply days forward of a Scudetto showdown in opposition to Juventus.
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, gestures to his gamers throughout the Serie A match between AS Roma and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on November 30, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photograph by Paolo Bruno/Getty Photographs)
Commercial
“At instances you’re compelled to make sure selections. We did it in opposition to Lazio too, we would have liked to see sure gamers from the beginning,” added Conte.
“We play each three days and the identical ones can’t do it on a regular basis. I’m pleased with the responses I acquired, we knew it will be a wrestle.
“Everybody feels an awesome sense of duty and we’re all doing what we have to. I’m happy with that.”
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 03: Lorenzo Lucca of SSC Napoli scores his staff’s first aim throughout the Coppa Italia spherical of 16 match between SCC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 03, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photographs)
Commercial
Lucca scored a aim, having upset in different current appearances, together with a purple card within the Champions League in opposition to PSV Eindhoven.
“His efficiency was the identical as the opposite gamers, he has to maintain working arduous to enhance and be an excellent various,” concluded Conte.
Napoli will now go on to face both Como or Fiorentina within the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.