NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 05: Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Genoa CFC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 05, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Napoli coach Antonio Conte insists this will be the ‘most difficult’ season for the Partenopei and says the injured Matteo Politano and Stanislav Lobotka ‘must be assessed’ before the international break.
Conte’s Napoli secured a 2-1 comeback win over Genoa on Sunday, catching Roma at the top of the Serie A table.
“We are travelling down a completely unknown path. As I keep saying, this will be the most difficult season for us because we have to play in the Champions League, and last year we didn’t play any other competition, not even a small cup,” Conte told DAZN via TuttoNapoli.
“I didn’t have a squad that was properly structured to handle these commitments. Compared to other teams, which are already well tested and well structured, with a well-oiled mechanism that has steadily improved over the years, we found ourselves facing a totally new situation with a group of players who, as I keep repeating, last year had a very limited squad.”
Napoli won the Serie A title in 2024-25, in a season without any European competition.
Conte: Politano and Lobotka must be assessed
“When you bring in nine new players, it means that time and patience are needed,” Conte added.
“Also, many of them are perhaps not ready yet. They still need to get up to speed and fit into certain dynamics.”
Conte initially benched Kevin De Bruyne and changed the system, returning to a 4-3-3 formation with Politano, David Neres and Rasmus Hojlund up front.
“This was the very first time they started together. One of them in particular worked very hard, though he’s not yet used to producing decisive plays,” Conte said.
Politano and Lobotka suffered injuries in the second half and were forced to be subbed off.
Politano is part of the Italy squad for games against Israel and Estonia and his availability for La Nazionale is uncertain at this stage.
“Today, it was as if the engine was a bit clogged. Matteo [Politano] came from a tough stretch of matches, even though he was substituted around the 70th minute in every game; perhaps he got to the game a bit tired,” Conte said.
“He felt some muscle fatigue, so I don’t want to get into dynamics that aren’t mine to discuss. Since I’ve been a national team coach myself, I have great respect for the national side and everything related to it. The doctors will speak to each other and assess the situation.
“Lobotka basically slipped on the pitch. His knee twisted open, and he felt a sharp pain around the groin and adductor area. He also needs to be assessed.”
Genoa took the lead in the first half, but Napoli turned the game around in the second half with goals from Franck Anguissa and Hojlund.
“We have players who, through their rhythm, give us energy. Surely Franck, but also Scott, who, compared to last year, is struggling a bit, still put in a very good performance today. These are players who give us tempo, intensity and strength. Inevitably, Scott, Franck and Lobotka give us a mix of intensity and quality when they press,” said Conte.
“I repeat. This will be a complex season. At the same time. We must have the spirit to face it because I’m convinced this season will serve as a foundation for the future. We are building from scratch; there were no foundations before.”
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