In Napoli’s season, especially recently, Romelu Lukaku, Giacomo Raspadori, and coach Antonio Conte are playing key roles. They are leading Napoli in their quest for the Scudetto, challenging Inter Milan, thanks to the coach’s stimulating approach towards his two main strikers.
Conte’s Clear Message
During a press conference before a recent match, Antonio Conte highlighted a critical point for Napoli’s Scudetto ambitions. He emphasized the need for gradual improvement in building winning teams. Conte pointed out that Napoli hasn’t scored many goals, and their squad historically doesn’t have prolific scorers. He stressed that while they can work to improve goal numbers, players who typically score few goals won’t suddenly become high scorers. Conte noted Inter’s strength in set-piece goals and emphasized Napoli’s need to develop similar characteristics. He made it clear that Napoli’s attackers needed to step up.
Reality Check
Conte’s analysis of Napoli’s attacking options is accurate. Looking at the squad, only Romelu Lukaku has reached double figures with 10 Serie A goals. Raspadori has 4 goals, Simeone and Politano have 2 each, and Ngonge also has 2. Neres has 3 goals and is currently injured. Kvaratskhelia, before his January transfer, scored 5. Okafor, on loan from Milan, hasn’t had much impact yet. However, Napoli’s goals have come from midfielders and defenders, with McTominay, Anguissa, and Di Lorenzo contributing 15 goals in total, showing a well-rounded team effort in their Scudetto pursuit.
The Response
Conte’s message was clear: to achieve greatness, the attackers must improve their performance, be more decisive, and score more goals. Lukaku and Raspadori responded immediately in the following match, both scoring. Lukaku scored his tenth league goal of the season, reaching double digits for the twelfth time in 13 seasons. Raspadori scored the second goal after a great assist from Lukaku, showcasing their new partnership, “Lu-Ra,” contrasting with Lukaku’s previous “Lu-La” partnership with Lautaro Martinez at Inter. This partnership is vital for Napoli’s Scudetto dream.
After the game, Lukaku commented on the partnership, stating that both he and Raspadori are happy to contribute to the team’s success. Raspadori praised Lukaku’s assist for his goal, highlighting their teamwork.
Conte Wants More
Conte acknowledged the positive response from his strikers but insisted on further improvement. He stated that while they created chances, they need to be more clinical. Conte reiterated the need for continuous development and emphasized that to build a winning team, no detail can be overlooked. He noted Lukaku’s improving performances and stressed his importance to the team’s success. With ten crucial games remaining, Conte emphasized the need for everyone to give their all, and he will make decisions based on performance and dedication. Conte is challenging his attack to be more decisive in the final stretch of the season, demanding more goals and a relentless attitude to achieve their Scudetto dream. Raspadori is seizing his opportunity, and Lukaku is proving to be a talisman for the team. Conte is pushing everyone to maximize their concentration and effort as Napoli aims for the Scudetto.