Conte: Napoli has improved compared to last year, but they play proactively and are more susceptible to counterattacks

Hupu News, October 21, Naples is about to play away against PSV Eindhoven in the first stage of the Champions League. Before the game, Naples head coach Antonio Conte attended the press conference.

What problems occurred in the last game lost to Turin?

"We had a lot of chances to score goals in the last game, but obviously we need to be more efficient. Compared to last season, our investment and creativity in the game have improved in all aspects. Of course, it also makes you more susceptible to counterattacks by opponents, and you need to take some risks that I may not have taken last season, because then we were more dominant in the game. But that's it. Our path. This is also the trend throughout the Champions League. All teams are trying to score one more goal than their opponents. If you want to improve your level, you must be prepared to take some risks. But this is the process that must be experienced to reach the next stage."

You mentioned the "ballet shoes" theory in the game against Turin. What kind of equipment is needed to play well against PSV?

"Yes, I am talking about the first half, we played too well but lacked substance. Again, I am satisfied with the team's performance in Turin, of course the result is negative, which will affect the overall evaluation. We are now facing a very strong team, they won the Eredivisie last year and have always been the protagonist . They play a very special kind of football, and we must remain highly vigilant, because we are not here to be victims, but to play our game. This game will be divided into two stages, and we will do our best to do our best in each stage."

In terms of the content of the game, what aspects does the team still need to improve?

"Compared with last season, although we conceded more goals, we also scored more goals, and the overall level has indeed improved. We also created a lot of scoring opportunities in the last game, but we must be more efficient. Compared with last season, our control over the game has improved significantly. Of course, this also means that we are more likely to be counterattacked by our opponents and need to bear some of the things that I may have done last year. We won’t take risks, because we were more dominant at that time, but this is our direction. The reality of the European war is that all strong teams want to score one more goal than their opponents. If they want to improve, they must learn to take certain risks, even if they have to make space sometimes, but this is the way to go if we want to move to a new stage."

What is the situation with McTominay? Can he appear?

"We have to wait until tomorrow to decide, and it will ultimately be his decision. Yesterday he trained alone and participated in part of the joint training today. He has a wound above his ankle. Now it depends on how he feels. I will leave the decision to him. I never force it. We will wait for his decision because he is an important player for us. If he can play, of course we will be happy; if not, we have prepared alternatives."

What do you think of Noah Long's role?

"Noah Long has mainly improved at the tactical level. He had complete freedom before. When we decided to use four midfielders to start, his space for activities was bound to shrink. He did concentrate more on the left, and we were also looking for alternatives to keep the field open. Sometimes I use a 4-3-3 formation and put Neres on the left, because at that time Long is not fully ready. I think he is close to starting in a game soon. He just needs to continue to train as hard as he is now."