Conte sees promising turnaround as Napoli dominates Bologna in 3-0 victory

Antonio Conte believes he has witnessed a pivotal moment for his Napoli squad following their convincing 3-0 victory over Bologna in their Serie A home opener on Sunday.

The win marked a significant recovery for Napoli, who had suffered a disheartening defeat just a week earlier, losing 3-0 to Hellas Verona, a team that narrowly avoided relegation last season.

“Today we had a great responsibility, that of giving a great response after the second half in Verona,” Conte stated during a post-match press conference, reflecting on the team’s need to bounce back after their prior humiliation.

He expressed confidence in his players, saying, “I had no doubts, these guys are good guys. I see them working… and I got important answers.”

The victory not only brought three crucial points to Napoli but also signified a personal milestone for Conte as he secured his first win as Napoli’s coach. “These are three points that are the start of our journey,” he remarked, visibly emotional. “I was emotional, I really cared about it. It’s a starting point, we know that we have a journey to make.”

Former Italy coach Conte, who has previously claimed four Serie A titles with Juventus and Inter Milan, as well as a Premier League trophy with Chelsea, took the reins at Napoli following a dismal previous season. He emphasized the importance of building confidence within the team, adding, “We have to gain confidence and continue to give this sense of unity that we felt today.”

This victory was particularly significant for Napoli as it ended an eight-match winless streak in the league. Their last home win in Serie A had been back in early March, when they secured a dramatic 2-1 triumph over Juventus thanks to a last-minute goal from Giacomo Raspadori.

Winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia played a crucial role in the much-anticipated win, contributing with a goal and an assist. He expressed the positive impact of his recent personal life changes, stating, “Becoming a father has given me great energy, I think I showed it on the pitch during the match.” Kvaratskhelia stressed his eagerness to contribute to the team’s success, saying, “I really wanted to get on the pitch and give my contribution to the cause to bring home a very important win.”

Looking ahead, he shared his aspirations for continuous growth under Conte’s guidance, remarking, “I am a footballer who always wants to learn new things, to acquire useful notions to continue my path of growth. And having Conte on the bench is certainly a guarantee. Let’s hope we can take great satisfaction throughout the whole championship.”