Napoli was able to surrender this weekend after the 2-2 draw of the Serie A in Serie A in the Serie A with Lazio, but Antonio Conte has praised his players for adapting to changes in injuries.
Napoli led the Scudetto race on 56 points, but can be jumped by the second placed Inter, two points behind, when they visit Juventus for the D'Italia derby on Sunday.
The Partenopei came down from 1-0 to lead 2-1 via a Giacomo Raspadori strike and an Adam Marusic own goal, but Boulaye Dia saved late to earn a point for Lazio.
“I can only be satisfied with the performance. We knew that the type of team that is Lazio,” Conte said a press conference.
“There is certainly regret because in the space of 15 days we have dropped four points here on the Olimpico, two with Roma and two today.
“This competition was somewhat different from those two weeks ago, this draw has a greater specific weight. We have shown that we do not want to give up, regardless of the inconveniences we encounter.”
Napoli was held a 1-1 draw in Roma on 2 February and admitted a stop-time equalizer to Angelino, after which they played a 1-1 draw at Udinese the next week.
“I really like the spirit of these guys who always want to go beyond the obstacle,” said Conte.
“We would not have this ranking without this mind, which is extraordinary for what we do. Someone can think differently, but today the game was positive despite our fourth change of formation.
“Those who know football and know how difficult it is to work on a formation, understand how much work there is behind changing four times in seven months …
“We are moving forward with our heads with the aim of always leaving with a sweaty shirt.”
Forward David Neres has become the newest addition to the Napoli injury list, with the Brazilian set to be out for about a month with a muscular problem.
They had previously lost defenders Mathias Olivera and Leonardo Spinazzola to muscle lesions.
“When we learned about Neres' injury, we adapted, in addition to Spinzzola and Oliveras,” Conte added.
“Even with (Alessandro) Buongiorno's return after more than two months, it was difficult to fit him in a defense of four people.
“The boys did well, we have concepts that are valid, regardless of the system and they interpreted the match at their best.
“I did not want to change the three-man midfield and operate the characteristics of the midfielders, we will see how long we use this system.”
Napoli is the next in action against Como on February 23, before they are confronted with Inter next week in a potential scudetto decision maker.
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