Antonio Conte expressed his disappointment with Napoli's performance, attributing their loss to Torino to an overemphasis on style rather than substance. Giovanni Simeone's goal in the first half at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino handed Napoli their second Serie A defeat of the season. This result marked a worrying trend for Napoli, who have now lost two of their last three league matches.
Napoli's recent form has seen them slip from the top of the standings, overtaken by Inter following their 1-0 victory over Roma. Ange-Yoan Bonny scored early in that match, securing Inter's place at the summit. Despite having 22 shots and an expected goals (xG) total of 1.83, Napoli only managed five on target, compared to Torino's 1.97 xG from 12 attempts.
Conte pointed out defensive lapses as a significant issue, particularly following Billy Gilmour's mistake that allowed Simeone to score. Napoli have conceded seven goals in their last five Serie A games, a stark contrast to their previous defensive record. "We conceded the goal that we created," Conte remarked, emphasizing teamwork and acknowledging Gilmour's overall strong performance despite the error.
Conte noted that Napoli's style of play often leaves them vulnerable to counter-attacks due to their constant presence in the opposition half. He stressed the need for improvement in handling such situations and acknowledged that duels are part of the game they must accept and manage better.
The Opta supercomputer now gives Napoli an 18.6% chance of winning the Scudetto, trailing behind Inter's 36.6%. Conte remains realistic about their title prospects, stating he anticipated these challenges at the season's start. "We are building something new here," he said, emphasizing patience and growth as key factors for success.
Conte also highlighted the demanding schedule with games every three days, which limits training opportunities. He believes improvement will come gradually as new players adapt and develop within the team structure.
Despite these setbacks, Conte remains focused on long-term development rather than immediate results. He acknowledges that while there is room for improvement, especially defensively, patience is crucial as they navigate this challenging period.
