Despite the drop of two points, Napoli remained at the top of the Serie A table thanks to Lazio with the second place Inter Milan to a 2-2 draw.
Conte said afterwards: “We are close to the Scudetto, but we still have to take that last step. It will be taken on our home grass, with the support of our fans.
“It is a very difficult campaign, we have achieved what we wanted to do, namely to bother the leaders to the end. We have been at the top for a long time, despite a season full of difficulties, but we have never complained, we went on and we are immediately there to achieve something unthinkable and historically for Napoli.
“Winning in Napoli is certainly different from winning elsewhere, at clubs that are used to collecting titles and trophies.”
Most difficult season of my career
The Scudetto is now going in the final round, where Conte admits that it has been the most difficult campaign of his career.
“It is certainly the most difficult season of my career. We had to deduct players in the second half of the season, change the system and other tactical situations. Spending a year enabled me to study different situations,” Conte continued.
“I also had the opportunity to work seven days a week, which I could not have done if we played every three days. On the other hand, this was already a thin team and we reached the end to the bare bones.
“We have to continue because we now have the little between our teeth and we can taste it.”
I went further than my limits
Conte, whatever happens next week, says he had thrown everything in the track this season.
Asked what the winning of the title would mean, he also said: “It would pay me back for everything I put this year. I gave everything, I went further than my limits.
“I also know that I am exhausted, I am just about the end of this season. Napoli is great for passion and enthusiasm, but it also brings with the requirements and expectations that are often higher than the realistic possibilities.
“I feel a great responsibility, I felt that from the beginning and as the season progressed, we started to realize that we could stay there until the end.”