Antonio Conte painted a sorry image this night after his Napoli facet had been eradicated from the Champions League on the league part; , regardless of main 2-1 at half-time.
Napoli needed to win to remain within the match, though they nonetheless would have needed to win a two-legged play-off facet as it could not have been sufficient to complete within the high eight of the league.
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after the sport, Conte mentioned: “The distinction was the ending, they had been much more exact and scientific in entrance of aim.”
Conte praised Brazilian ahead Joao Pedro, who scored two sensible objectives for the guests to finish the second-half comeback.
“I really feel that Joao Pedro made the distinction tonight, he’s a very spectacular participant.”
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 28: Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his crew’s third aim in the course of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD8 match between SSC Napoli and Chelsea FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 28, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Pictures)
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“We really feel nice delight and satisfaction, as a result of regardless of lacking greater than half the squad, we performed if not on the identical stage, then even higher than Chelsea, and deserved much more,” continued Conte.
Conte echoed feedback from captain Di Lorenzo, who advised press after the sport that Napoli weren’t eradicated from the match solely primarily based on tonight, with the errors coming earlier within the marketing campaign.
“I advised the lads that the remorse was in Copenhagen, the place we merely couldn’t let that win slip via our fingers. It pressured us to be on this scenario towards a high membership, don’t overlook Chelsea gained the Membership World Cup, they’ve extraordinary gamers on the sector, the bench and even left within the stands.”
Conte happy with Napoli regardless of loss to Chelsea
Conte was happy with his facet, regardless of the outcome, claiming they gave Chelsea a superb contest a the Maradona.
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“I’m so happy with our lads, as a result of we pressed them, created possibilities, fought them for each ball. It’s a pity, we deserved to not less than get into the play-offs.
“Their high quality within the ultimate third was decisive. The issue is that Chelsea didn’t even have that many scoring alternatives, however after they bought into these positions, they damage you,” added Conte.
Conte was clear that his facet’s efficiency tonight impressed him, however careworn there may be nonetheless room to enhance.
“We bought ourselves into these conditions and a few crosses could possibly be decisive, however we have to enhance. I nonetheless say it was a formidable efficiency, we weren’t afraid, we attacked them, we accepted duels leaving house behind us, and I feel performed good soccer.”
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 28: Liam Rosenior, Supervisor of Chelsea, and Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, pose for a photograph previous to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD8 match between SSC Napoli and Chelsea FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 28, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Pictures)
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On the altering state of soccer, the coach mentioned:
“That is the way in which, soccer is evolving, it modifications, and you need to adapt and put together. It’s only a pity that we gained’t proceed measuring ourselves up towards the most effective groups on this competitors. We did it right now towards Chelsea, and I really feel did it nicely, however we paid for the nice high quality they’d obtainable to them.”
Conte as soon as once more underlined how the distinction in high quality obtainable to each coaches was instrumental in figuring out the outcome.
“Errors will be made, however when you may have gamers like Joao Pedro who’ve such a excessive stage, they punish your each tiny error. We honoured the Champions League with this efficiency, inflicting big issues, and I feel the outcome doesn’t mirror the sport in any respect.”
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Conte talks variations between Premier League and Serie A groups
He was then requested to touch upon how the tempo of Premier League groups compares to Serie A?
“Within the Champions League, you typically discover opponents who play open and attacking soccer, so there needs to be depth and duels. Serie A is extra tactical, groups can clam up and you need to discover the answer to unlock them. In Europe there are extra duels, there may be extra pitch to defend.
“Having mentioned that, in trendy soccer, you can not simply park the bus. I would like my groups to play with the next tempo and be aggressive. Even with 13 gamers out, we had been courageous and aggressive. That is what allowed us to win the Scudetto and Supercoppa, it’s the manner ahead. I’m satisfied that with extra gamers at my disposal, we will enhance additional.”
