Antonio Conte has emphasized the importance of resilience and improvement as Napoli prepares to face Qarabag in a crucial Champions League clash. Following a disappointing European run thus far, where the reigning Scudetto holders have managed just one win and accumulated four points from four games, Conte is urging his team to enhance their performance levels if they aim to qualify for the knockout stages.
Their last outing in the Champions League ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw against Frankfurt, despite dominating with 18 shots compared to their opponents’ seven. Conte is hopeful that the recent 3-1 victory over Atalanta in Serie A could provide the necessary boost for his players to deliver a stronger showing against the formidable Qarabag.
“Qarabag are a decent side,” Conte remarked, acknowledging the impact of their foreign players on European football. He stressed the need for his team to expend significant effort as they navigate through a season marred by injuries to key personnel.
Despite the challenges, Conte believes the positive energy from their recent win can inspire Napoli in the upcoming match. “We should take heart from beating Atalanta. We go into this game full of positivity, which can give us further motivation and morale to continue our journey in the Champions League,” he added.
He called upon each member of the squad to contribute and stressed that even amid absences, everyone on the field must perform at their best. “It’s time to dig deep and fight as one because tomorrow is a very important step for the Champions League standings,” Conte concluded, indicating the high stakes of the encounter ahead.
With the right mindset and determination, Napoli has the chance to turn their fortunes around and claim a vital win that could reignite their Champions League aspirations.