Antonio Conte dismissed any claims of discord within Napoli after their 3-1 victory over Atalanta, which saw them reclaim the top spot in Serie A. The win at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was well-earned, temporarily placing them ahead of Inter before their clash with AC Milan. David Neres scored twice, and Noa Lang added another, marking the first time since February 2024 that Napoli netted three goals in the first half of a Serie A match.
Napoli's unbeaten streak at home in Serie A has now extended to 17 matches, their longest since an 18-game run from January to November 2021. This impressive form comes after a 2-0 loss to Bologna before the international break, which led Conte to question his team's motivation. He expressed his concerns by
stating, "Either I'm not doing a good job or someone isn't listening. " However, he later assured Sky Sports Italia that his direct approach was well-received by his players.
Conte emphasised his transparent relationship with his players, saying, "Maybe those who are outside and don't know the rapport I have with the players worry more than I do. " He added that honesty is crucial in his interactions: "I am very transparent, I don't wear masks, I am very honest with them. I am as you see me. I know many don't like that, but I was always taught that honesty is essential. "
The coach acknowledged the media's role in discussing team matters but stressed the importance of focusing on work: "It's right that the media do their talking while we must continue working. " He expressed satisfaction with both the victory and their performance: "We are satisfied with the victory and the way we achieved it. " Napoli maintained a high tempo in the first half and continued pressing after halftime.
Atalanta played under new head coach Raffaele Palladino for the first time. Palladino replaced Ivan Juric during the international break. Despite their current struggles, Palladino sees potential for growth: "The second half was very positive; I liked the character of the reaction and that is the Atalanta I want to see. " He believes there are areas to improve and build upon for future success.
Atalanta has accumulated only 13 points from 12 games this season. This marks their worst start since finishing 17th in 2014-15 when they had just 10 points at this stage. Palladino remains optimistic about their foundation: "There are things we need to work on and others we can build on for the future. " He also highlighted the team's dedication: "They are like soldiers; they've followed every order I gave and that is a good place to start from. "
Conte acknowledged Atalanta's strength despite their current form: "We beat a very strong Atalanta side. " Reflecting on Napoli's performance, he noted room for improvement in ball control during the second half but remained pleased overall.
