Antonio Conte praised Napoli's 'excellent' reaction during the second half of their 3-0 win over Empoli.
The partenopei maintained the pressure on Serie A -Leiders Inter by closing the gap to three points again with six more games.
Napoli led 1-0 during the rest thanks to the goal of Scott McTominay, and they found a different equipment after the break with Romelu Lukaku who doubled the lead before McTominay's second without a doubt.
And Conte was delighted by the “very high level” that his players produced in Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
“Today, during the break, I said the players to approach the second half as if the game was still 0-0 and to go and win,” said the head coach.
“The reaction was excellent. The performance was a very high level and I believe the crowd also appreciated it.”
Conte also believes that his party deserves extra credit to keep in touch with Inter, who currently have the chance to complete a Treble.
In addition to leading Serie A, the Nerazzurri are 2-1 for the good against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, while they are also involved in a semi-final of Coppa Italia against Rivals AC Milan.
Full time! #Napoliempoli 3-0
#Forzanapolisempre pic.twitter.com/norgfq6jsb
– Official SSC Napoli (@en_scnapoli) April 14, 2025
“We are in an emergency, but I don't want my players to apologize,” Conte added. “We are there, three points below [Inter].
“Our target was to disturb, and we disturbed a team that has proved really strong, not only in Europe. A complete team that is doing really well in Europe.
“I think someone, the newspapers and the media, should thank Napoli for keeping the title race alive.
“Otherwise we would talk about a completed season, and there would be fewer conversations in TV programs, and fewer newspapers would be sold.”
McTominay's Brace took his count for the season to eight Serie A objectives, a personal record during a single campaign in the Big Five European Leagues.
In the meantime, with a goal and two assists, Lukaku became the second player in those divisions to reach double digits for goals (12) and assists (10) after Mohamed Salah van Liverpool (27 goals, 18 assists).
Conte was satisfied with the performance of the duo against Empoli, but emphasized the importance of teamwork in achieving the victory.
“Lukaku and McTominay have had influence, but this victory is the result of everyone's hard work,” he said. “It is the success of a group that has always responded when he is called, and that is now starting to reap the benefits of their efforts.”
Comments