Napoli will hope to start their New Year's celebrations well in advance on Sunday when they host Venezia in Serie A, but Antonio Conte does not expect it to be easy.
The 2023 Scudetto winners have regained their good form under Conte this season as they sit second in the table with 38 points, two points behind leaders Atalanta.
Napoli have lost two of their last three home games in Serie A (one win), after winning each of their first five home games this season.
However, Conte is positive about their hopes of ending 2024 on a high.
“We hope to end 2024 with a little more joy for the fans, for ourselves, to celebrate New Year's Eve in style,” Conte said at a news conference on Saturday.
“It has been five very intense months, in which I lived to the fullest. The environment is beautiful and passionate.
“Coaching in Naples really gives you a lot, but at the same time it is demanding on several levels.
“I am very happy, but my goal and that of the boys, I always say, is not to have any regrets in any situation and in any match.
“We have to leave the field with the feeling that we gave everything, without saying that we could have done better.”
The Partenopei have already equaled the number of home wins they recorded last season (six), in which they passed three coaches to finish tenth.
Opponent Venezia is 19th with 13 points and currently has the longest streak of away games without a win in Serie A, drawing four and losing twelve of the last sixteen.
However, Conte will not take them lightly, saying: “Everyone thinks of an easy win just because Venezia are second to last, but when we see the home games of Juve and Inter [against Venezia] we should at least be concerned.
“Venezia has a good coach, they have their own concepts and for us these are three fundamental points that we have to collect.”
Napoli will also hope Atalanta, who are on an 11-match winning streak, encounter fourth-placed Lazio on Friday, allowing them to regain top spot.
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