Napoli Coach Argues Squad ‘Still A Long Way’ From Inter Milan & Other Champions League Sides

Antonio Conte feels that the Napoli squad is currently “still a long way” from those of Inter Milan and other teams in the Champions League.

The Partenopei coach gave his thoughts in a press conference ahead of his team’s Serie A clash with Atalanta over the weekend, as reported by FCInterNews.

At the moment, Napoli sit top of the Serie A table.

The Campanian side are four points clear of defending champions Inter. Then, the likes of Atalanta, Fiorentina, Lazio, and Juventus are a bit further back.

Napoli had a disastrous start to the season, losing 3-0 to Hellas Verona in Conte’s first match in charge.

But ever since then, the Partenopei have been far and away the most consistent team in the Italian top flight.

However, Napoli are currently in the midst of a run of matches that will give them a sterner test than they have faced so far in the campaign.

Conte’s team passed the first part of the test. They beat AC Milan 2-0 this week.

On Sunday, it will be in-form Atalanta, ensuring things don’t get any easier for Napoli.

And then, in the last match before the November international break, the Partenopei will face defending champions Inter.

Antonio Conte: “Napoli Squad Still A Long Way” From Inter & Other Champions League Sides

Napoli have certainly recovered from the disastrous title defense that was last season.

This is perhaps a testament to the fact that, despite how badly things went last time around, Napoli have retained most of the players from the spine of the team that won the 2022-23 title.

Moreover, the Partenopei have added quality in the form of Alessandro Buongiorno and Romelu Lukaku – among others.

And then there is the fact that Napoli do not have any European football to worry about.

This means far less distractions than other top sides in Serie A like Juventus, Milan, and Inter have to deal with.

And significantly, Napoli’s squad is put under less strain than those of their rivals, with fewer matches that the players have to play in.

“As I’ve always said, those teams like us not playing in Europe have an advantage,” said Napoli coach Conte.

“Because they have the chance to train during the week.”

“But at the same time, we’re far from the level of the squads of the teams playing in the Champions League,” Conte argued.