Antonio Conte has mentioned his gamers ‘melted like snow’ on the opening day of the 2024/25 season as they fell to a 3-0 defeat to Verona, lacking a golden alternative to make a joke about Neapolitan ice cream.
Napoli fell to a disappointing tenth place in Serie A final season having received the title the yr earlier than – their lowest end since 2008/09. Within the course of they burned by three managers (Rudi Garcia, Walter Mazzarri and Francesco Calzona) earlier than turning to former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur supervisor Conte in the summertime.
Conte had already warned that Napoli did not find yourself going from champions to mid-table by chance, and was left aghast as his facet – lacking transfer-linked prime scorer Victor Osimhen – conceded three objectives within the second half towards Verona to endure an opening-day defeat on Sunday.
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Antonio Conte needs to see if ‘anybody else is bleeding’ after Napoli defeat
Conte instructed Sky Sport Italia: “Within the first half, there was just one group in it. I don’t suppose Verona had a shot. Having mentioned that, we instantly let Verona have a shot in the beginning of the second half, and within the second occasion we went behind.
“Then we melted like snow within the solar. What I really feel like saying is that we must always apologise to the Neapolitan supporters, who comply with us with such ardour. I’m the coach and it’s proper that I take full duty.
“I humbly apologise as a result of the second half was unacceptable. A efficiency that exhibits we have to work exhausting in each facet. I got here to Napoli with plenty of enthusiasm, with nice want. If I can assist Napoli, I’ll.
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“There’s solely disgrace. I’m ashamed as a coach. A factor like this has not often occurred to me, each as a participant and as a coach. At the moment my coronary heart is bleeding. Let’s see if anybody else is bleeding within the subsequent few days.”
Victor Osimhen was not concerned within the matchday squad away to Verona (Picture credit score: Alamy)
Conte had expressed his unhappiness earlier than the season started, saying: “We should not suppose that final season was a coincidence. Possibly there are individuals who discuss unhealthy luck or different issues, however to that I say simply take a look at the desk, and it exhibits an enormous hole in comparison with different groups.
“Anybody who thinks it was simply unhealthy luck is much from actuality. I anticipated a greater scenario, constructive surprises, which is why once I spoke originally I mentioned, even after such a adverse yr we should not throw every part away however let’s perceive if there are additionally constructive issues,.
“I anticipated constructive surprises, however I had a tough time discovering any. However you arrive and there are 9, ten, exits. We’re not saying that we’re at yr zero however on the yr very near zero. It doesn’t scare me nevertheless it’s higher to be clear, when there may be actuality and readability the place to go and what issues to face.”