NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 22: SSC Napoli coach Antonio Conte during the SSC Napoli vs. Atalanta BC match in Serie A at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 22, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by: Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Antonio Conte explains what led to Napoli’s tactical changes in their 3-1 win over Atalanta. “I’m very honest with my players. I’m who you see me.”
The Partenopei were under pressure heading into this game, having drawn just two of their last three games in Serie A and the Champions League.
We had a perfect start against Atalanta tonight. David Neres, who hadn’t scored in 11 months, scored twice in the first half.
Just before the break, Noah Lang celebrated his second start of the season with his first goal for the club.
Still, Atalanta fought for a restart and Gianluca Scamacca’s acrobatic volley pulled them within a point, allowing their men to hold on to the point.
Conte restarted Napoli after struggling
“I’m happy with the win and the way we achieved it because we kept the tempo high in the first half, but we maintained a high press even after the break and when the team lost 3-0 it was inevitable that we would rush to the front,” Conte told Sky Sports Italia.
“We could have controlled the ball more in the second half, but it didn’t matter because we beat a very strong Atalanta side. I watched and studied their performance against Olympique de Marseille and I know very well that they won in a very tough atmosphere.
“There was great energy on the team today.”
Napoli 3-1 Atalanta football Check out the Italian player ratings
Conte said he was perhaps relieved by the reaction from Napoli’s players as he took a few days off in Turin after feeling angry after the 2-0 defeat to Bologna.
“Maybe people who are out there and don’t know the kind of trust I have with the players are more worried than I am. There’s a strong trust and I’m transparent and I don’t wear a mask, so I’m very honest with them. I’m who you see me. I know a lot of people don’t like that, but I’ve always been taught that honesty is essential.
“The media is right to report this, but we must continue to do our jobs.”
Part of the tactical key to getting the most out of these wingers was moving them closer to centre-forward Rasmus Heilund, closer to a 3-4-2-1 rather than a 3-4-3.
It was prompted by the absence of Billy Gilmour, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne, Alex Meret and Romelu Lukaku due to an injury crisis.
“The problem is that the latest setback was Franck Anguissa’s injury on international duty, which forced us to make some reflections on the objective state of our midfield,” Conte explained.
“Elmas is not really a midfielder, so there are very few players left there, but he is doing well. So all we have left are promising young players in Lobo, Scott and Vergara. And even he is like a trequartista.”
Napoli are temporarily back at the top of Serie A, awaiting the results of Roma’s trip to Cremonese and Sunday’s Milan derby.
After Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Qarabag, they have a Scudetto clash with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico next weekend.
“Qarabag have been a surprise addition to the Champions League so far this season, so we need to recover our energy and prepare for this new challenge,” Conte concluded.
post navigation
