Conte: ‘Positive result, but also bitter taste in mouth’ for Napoli | OneFootball

Antonio Conte explains the sign he sent that Napoli ‘wanted to win the game’ against Lazio, but squad shortages forced another change of plan. ‘It must be seen as a positive result, even if it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.’

The Partenopei had conceded early through Gustav Isaksen, then turned it around thanks to Giacomo Raspadori and a bizarre Adam Marusic own goal, but Boulaye Dia’s angled drive sealed a 2-2 draw at the 87th minute.

The turning point of the game seemed to be introducing Matteo Politano for Alessandro Buongiorno, moving Giovanni Di Lorenzo into the back three and retaining that 3-5-2 formation.

“If we analyse things carefully, this is the situation, our first substitution was Buongiorno who had been out for two and a half months,” Conte told DAZN.

“We sent a sign to the squad that we wanted to win the game and I think this was a move that proved fruitful. However, when Mazzocchi asked to be substituted, that was a problem, because the only thing I could do was put Rafa Marin on.”

Pasquale Mazzocchi was playing because the other wing-backs Leonardo Spinazzola, Mathias Olivera and David Neres are injured.

When the ex-Salernitana man ran out of steam, Conte debated for several minutes with his staff before giving Marin his first Serie A appearance of the entire campaign.

Conte both happy and sad with third Napoli draw

epa11898868 Napoli’s head coach Antonio Conte during the Serie A soccer match between SS Lazio and SSC Napoli at the Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 15 February 2025. EPA-EFE/Riccardo Antimiani

“It is disappointing, because at the end of the day we dropped four points from the last two trips to the Stadio Olimpico at the 90th minute against two great opponents,” continued the coach.

“Our team has quality and proves that, we are tough to beat, but being caught up right at the death does leave a bitter taste in the mouth.”

With David Neres injured, Conte preferred to scrap the 4-3-3 formation and move to a 3-5-2 with Raspadori partnering Romelu Lukaku.

“What I always say is that we must not go against the characteristics of our players, regardless of the system, so that we can get the best out of them.

“Raspadori can play as a support striker. This was the plan, the lads interpreted it well and I cannot ask them for more.”

Lazio had already beaten Napoli twice this season, 3-1 in the Coppa Italia Round of 16 and then 1-0 at the Stadio Maradona in Serie A, so they feared the worst when Gustav Isaksen opened the scoring early.

“Lazio were our bogeyman, we must continue like this being proud of what we are doing and sweating through the shirt, just as we do every game.

“These draws at the Stadio Olimpico must be seen as positive results. We must never forget where we started from, as today we stopped the bleeding, we could’ve been happier, but this is football,” continued Conte.

If Inter beat Juventus tomorrow in the Derby d’Italia, then they will leapfrog Napoli and become the new Serie A leaders.

“We try to do our best, not getting swept up in emotional aspects or other things. We know how hard we worked to get to the top of the table. Seeing the extraordinary things we are doing makes me proud.”