Antonio Conte insisted on his Napoli players to keep some perspective after Sunday's 2-2 draw with Genoa, insisting that his side is still hunting for the Serie A title.
Napoli had a three-point advantage compared to Inter at the weekend, but after the Nerazzurri Torino defeated 2-0 earlier on Sunday, the title race is now wide open, with the benefit of Conte's Side now to a single point.
Twice Napoli led, with Romelu Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori, both scored on either side of Alex Meret's own goal, but the 84th minute goal of Johan Vasquez ensured that Genoa left with a point.
It was the first time that the Partenopei at home has been pulled at home since March 2024, when they were kept at home by Udinese, while it is the first time that they have admitted at least two goals at home since November – a 3-0 defeat against Atalanta.
With two more games to play, and the title at a moving distance, Conte still believes that Napoli is over talking this season.
“The final rounds represent a target that was absolutely unthinkable in the beginning. To achieve that, it would be incredible,” Conte told Dazn. “These fans deserve it, because the people of Naples always followed us with passion and enthusiasm.
“We are still going further than our possibilities, so these players can only thank everything for everything. The bitterness today is because it was not earned draw, but I always tell them that details make the difference, and we could have done something better in those details today.
“We didn't deserve to drop these two points, but at the same time we should not forget that we have lost the bonus we had.
“We needed seven points of three rounds to win the title, now we need six points of two if we want to win the Scudetto, which would still be something incredible.”
Napoli had 22 shots against Genoa, with 11 of those who hit the target, although they only made 1.7 expected goals (XG).
On the other hand, they only allowed eight shots worth 0.7 xg, with Genoa only had two efforts on goal. They also hit the post twice via Andrea Pinamonti and honest Ahanor, whose header against the post led to the unfortunate goal of Meret.
Conte was visibly irritated by the opportunities that Napoli wasted during the game.
“Genoa had two shots on goal and both scored. These things also happen in football, when you admit a goal, you could always have done something better,” he said.
“I could not have asked for more of my players because they had 22 shots on goal, 11 of them on goal, dominated the possession and in the end it was a draw. We have to improve in these situations.
“It is disappointing because we deserved to win for everything we have created, so there remains bitterness and regrets.”