Antonio Conte’s tenure as Napoli’s head coach started on the worst possible note, as the former Juventus and Chelsea manager had to apologize to fans following a 3-0 defeat against Verona in their Serie A opener on Sunday. This match, held at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, highlighted a nightmare beginning for Conte, who is tasked with revitalizing a Napoli side that finished a disappointing 10th last season.
A Tale of Two Halves
In the first half, Napoli appeared to be the dominant side. Conte’s team controlled the tempo, creating several chances and dictating play. However, their inability to capitalize on these opportunities and the lack of goals proved costly. The game took a dramatic turn in the second half when Verona’s new signings, Dailon Livramento and Daniel Mosquera, took control, with Livramento opening the scoring four minutes after the break. Mosquera then added two more, sealing the victory for Verona and handing Conte a debut to forget.
After the match, Conte expressed his dismay and confusion at the drastic change in his team’s performance after halftime. Speaking to DAZN, a visibly frustrated Conte said, “We have to say sorry to our supporters because it was a second half that was, well, it’s difficult even to assess what happened. In the first half, there was only one team on the pitch, and it was Napoli. Then we came out for the second half maybe too satisfied with ourselves for the first half performance, even though we were still goalless. But it wasn’t the same attitude as in the first half.”
Conte did not hold back in criticizing his team’s mentality, lamenting their failure to respond to adversity after Livramento’s goal. “It is really worrying. Good teams react to difficult situations… but we completely fell apart,” he added. “I’m the coach, and it’s my responsibility, so I apologize. It was a debacle, and it’s my fault.”
A Troubled Start
This defeat is particularly concerning for Napoli, as it follows a lackluster performance in the Italian Cup the previous weekend, where they narrowly scraped past Serie B side Modena on penalties. Conte’s comments reflect a deeper concern about the team’s mentality and resilience, crucial elements that were sorely missing in Verona.
Conte had earlier described the current season as “year zero,” emphasizing the need for a complete rebuild after Napoli’s disastrous previous campaign. The club, which won the Serie A title in 2023, struggled last season, going through three different coaches and finishing in a disappointing mid-table position. The task ahead for Conte is enormous, as he not only needs to rebuild the squad but also manage the high expectations of the Napoli faithful.
Osimhen’s Absence and Kvaratskhelia’s Injury
One of the significant challenges Conte faces is the uncertain situation surrounding Victor Osimhen, the star of Napoli’s 2023 title-winning campaign. Osimhen has been frozen out of the squad due to his desire to leave the club, leaving a significant void in Napoli’s attack. Additionally, the injury to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia just before halftime further weakened Napoli’s chances against Verona. The Georgian forward, who had been one of Napoli’s most potent attacking threats, was forced off after a heavy challenge, and his absence was keenly felt in the second half.
With Kvaratskhelia sidelined, Napoli’s cutting edge diminished, allowing Verona to seize control. Livramento’s goal, a well-placed header from Darko Lazovic’s cross, opened the floodgates for Verona. Mosquera, who came on as a substitute, then doubled the lead with a composed finish following a chaotic sequence in midfield, and sealed Napoli’s fate with a tap-in during stoppage time.
Bologna and Lazio Start with Mixed Results
Elsewhere, Bologna also faced a frustrating start to their season under new coach Vincenzo Italiano, drawing 1-1 with Udinese. Despite taking the lead through a Riccardo Orsolini penalty, Bologna were pegged back by a Lautaro Giannetti header, seconds after Lukasz Skorupski saved a penalty from Florian Thauvin. Meanwhile, Lazio began their campaign with a 3-1 comeback win against newly-promoted Venezia, while Roma could only manage a goalless draw at Cagliari.
A Long Road Ahead
For Conte, this defeat serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. With Napoli’s fans expecting a resurgence, the pressure is already mounting on the experienced coach to turn things around quickly. As Napoli looks to recover from this early setback, Conte will need to address the squad’s fragility and instill a winning mentality if they are to compete at the highest level this season.
