Absent Conte calls for calm with Serie A history on offer

Irish Examiner

22-05-2025

Napoli manager Antonio Conte called for calm heads when his team bid to clinch the Serie title on Friday, underlining his deep sense of responsibility to the city even though he will be watching from the stands due to suspension.
Napoli are one point ahead of Inter Milan in the standings going into the last game of the season at home to Cagliari. Inter must travel to Como at the same time with both pivotal matches switched from Sunday to Friday.
"We have come through a very demanding season and clearly this could be the last match that closes a season for me in a new place, a new environment, where we obviously feel the responsibility to give Naples, the fans, something beautiful and historic," Conte said.
The manager will not be on the bench after emotions ran high in the scoreless draw against Parma last time out with Conte and Parma coach Cristian Chivu involved in a shouting match and sent off at the end of the game.
"I regret not being there. After a season like this, you want to be there, with your fans, to lead the team," Conte said.
"There is great trust in my staff, as always, in the fans, in the atmosphere that will be there, and even if I will be in the stands, my heart will be there.
"We have had everything from them (fans), closeness in positive moments and in negative moments when we faltered a bit. They immediately had faith in the whole group. What I feel like saying is to continue being who they are."
Conte would become the first coach to win Serie A with three different teams if Napoli clinch the trophy.
Fabio Capello lifted league trophies with AC Milan and Roma but his back to back titles with Juventus in 2005 and 2006 were stripped because of the Calciopoli refereeing scandal.
Conte says he will treat the Cagliari match like a normal game.
"Tomorrow there is Cagliari, a good team, and we have to play our game respecting the opponent 100%. If we respect them, we will have more chances to win," Conte said.
"We know very well that the work has brought us here today to talk about something special. We have to try to finish the job."
Over 450,000 people queued for tickets to the final match. Authorities are expecting enormous crowds throughout the city.
Twenty big screens will be set up across Naples as fans gather to witness the club's potential fourth Scudetto - and their second in just three years, but fans are not taking anything for granted.
"Here in Naples, we don't talk about victory yet because we are very superstitious, but we usually say one thing: 'It won't happen, but if it does...'," fellow Napoli fan Giuseppe Coppola said with a smile.
About 660 kilometres to the north, the mood is similarly calm among Inter fans, who also have the Champions League final against Paris St Germain to look forward to at the end of the month.
"I'll just watch — it's not in our hands. We'll experience it calmly," life-long Inter Milan fan Andrea Comin said, adding he was not worried.
"I believe the team has been focused on the Champions League final for quite some time now," he added when asked if he was concerned that the European title had taken priority over Serie A for Inter.
Cesc Fabregas, coach of their opponents Como, believes Inter are the league's best side, whatever the table says.
'For me, Inter are the best team in Serie A. And among the best in Europe.
'We have to play with personality. Not suffer their football, but impose our own. Inter are a very strong team. But we'll try to cause problems for them.'
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi should able to call once again on captain Lautaro Martinez and midfielder Davide Frattesi, with both having missed matches against Torino and Lazio.
Italian international Alessandro Bastoni is also available after injury but may not be risked with the Champions League final in mind. Benjamin Pavard will still be absent as he recovers from an ankle problem.
Reuters and Associated Press