{"id":8571,"date":"2025-03-31T07:28:07","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T07:28:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/conte-one-of-those-days-where-i-hate-being-a-coach-after-2-1-napoli-victory\/"},"modified":"2025-03-31T07:28:08","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T07:28:08","slug":"conte-one-of-those-days-where-i-hate-being-a-coach-after-2-1-napoli-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/conte-one-of-those-days-where-i-hate-being-a-coach-after-2-1-napoli-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Conte: ‘One of those days where I hate being a coach’ after 2-1 Napoli victory"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"epa12000085<\/picture><\/div>\n

epa12000085 Napoli’s head coach Antonio Conte reacts during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs AC Milan at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, 30 March 2025. EPA-EFE\/CIRO FUSCO<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Antonio Conte reveals he transformed his Napoli tactics this morning after losing Scott McTominay, but still managed to beat Milan 2-1. \u2018This is one of those days where I hate being a coach.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Partenopei had the perfect start to this huge match, taking a 2-0 lead by the 19th<\/sup> minute with Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku goals.<\/p>\n

They even survived a Santiago Gimenez penalty, parried by Alex Meret, but when Luka Jovic came sliding in to meet the Theo Hernandez assist, it set up a tense finale at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe dominated the first half against a very strong Milan side that started with the ambition of winning the Scudetto and further reinforced the squad in January,\u201d Conte told DAZN.<\/p>\n

Scott McTominay was not even on the bench this evening due to flu symptoms, with Leonardo Spinazzola also injured, but David Neres returned to the starting XI and brought with him the 4-3-3 formation.<\/p>\n

There were also concerns for Stanislav Lobotka, who went off in the final stages with a knee issue.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to force the situation with Frank Anguissa, as he returned from international duty with an injury, but we lost McTominay at the last minute, so I had to take the risk. David Neres hadn\u2019t played for a long time either,\u201d continued Conte.<\/p>\n

\u201cInevitably, we gradually lost intensity and some fear began to creep in. It\u2019s an important win that keeps us in the slipstream of Inter and also gives us a good cushion from fifth place. Don\u2019t forget, the Champions League places weren\u2019t even our initial ambition, we started out trying to get into Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conte keeps Napoli Scudetto flame alive<\/h2>\n
\"NAPOLI,
NAPOLI, ITALY \u2013 MARCH 30: Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach during the Serie A match between Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 30, 2025 in Napoli, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Scudetto is now very much a two-horse race, after Atalanta were beaten 1-0 by Fiorentina this afternoon, as only Napoli are keeping up the pace set by leaders Inter.<\/p>\n

\u201cWinning today was fundamental, our next trip to Bologna is very difficult, but we are still up there. After eight months of hard work, it would be madness not to believe in something extraordinary.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know Inter are like a tank, and in my view with all due respect to the others, they are on a different level to the rest of the league. We are still up there and we\u2019ll see what happens. If we recover all the players to full fitness, we can have our say, but only if we get everyone back.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a much-needed boost, considering Napoli had just one win in the previous seven Serie A rounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was not easy today against Milan, a team to be respected. I won\u2019t say today could\u2019ve handed the Scudetto to Inter, but it could\u2019ve certainly created a big gap that was difficult to overcome,\u201d added Conte.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe gave a strong response. It would be better if we could learn to hold onto leads and be more comfortable\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Lukaku told DAZN after the match that Conte had \u2018changed\u2019 the approach this morning to what they prepared in training, something the coach explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe lost McTominay at the last minute, so I changed the tactics. We were meant to start with Jack Raspadori in a 4-4-2, with McTominay wide left, as Neres hadn\u2019t played for a while and I was worried about giving him 80 minutes. Anguissa was not fully fit either.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was the typical day where I hate being a coach. I had prepared the game in a certain way and had to change it all at the last minute. It was a struggle of a day, I just asked for a painkiller because I\u2019ve got a horrible headache,\u201d smiled Conte.<\/p>\n

There continue to be reports that the coach is being courted by several other clubs for next season, including Milan and Juventus.<\/p>\n

\u201cI settled in perfectly at Napoli, beyond expectations. The first thing I said in pre-season was that it was the first time I\u2019d received so much without giving anything, so I always felt in debt to the Napoli fans,\u201d replied Conte.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the lads and I have in part paid them back for that enthusiasm. I just want us all to realise that what we are doing is extraordinary, even miraculous. We only participated in one tournament, playing just two Coppa Italia games, so we need to focus on the next eight games. After that, we can think about the future. That is what I feel I can say.\u201d<\/p>\n