Sassolo, Italy – August 23: Napoli head coach Antonio Conte looks ahead of the Serie A match between the US Sassolo Calcio and SSC Napoli at Mapey Stadium Sitta del Tricoloa in Sassolo, Italy on August 23, 2025. (Photo: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Antonio Conte argues that “seven or eight “serie a clubs can ‘aim for everything’, and his Naples side attempts to ‘lear’ from the Champions League ‘master’.
Conte spoke at a press conference held on Friday the night before Serie A’s match against Cagliari.
But the first question was about the Champions League draw on Thursday.
“We are delighted to be part of this competition,” Conte said via TMW.
“It’s a top competition where the club can play. There’s an enthusiasm and desire to play, and we’re trying to learn from people who have already won, like the masters of this tournament and already excellent students.
The Sardinians were the latest club Napoli met at home last season, and a 2-0 victory in round 38 gave Scudetto the second time in three years.
“We won Scudetto with authority. There’s also the pressure that is unbearable. Like that match, what I expect is focus and strength,” Conte said.
CONTE: We don’t beat Cagliari just because we’re Naples
“We were a team that stepped onto the pitch that knew exactly what we wanted to do. Tomorrow will be another game, the second game and Cagliari will want to see what they did against Fiorentina.
“So if we think we’re Naples, if we win because we have a Scudetto in our shirts, we’ll make a big mistake. If we match the strength they bring, we’ll deliver great performances.
“As I said before the start of the season, it’s going to be a very difficult league as usual. There’s a great balance. You’ll see a 7-8 well-equipped club and there’s a real fight,” Conte continued.
“I’m going to be very honest about this and say it’s going to be tough. There are seven, eight aspects, strong enough to aim for everything.”
Napoli scored a 2-0 victory over Sassoro in the opening game last week, courtesy of Kevin de Bruin and Scott McTominai.
CONTE: “McTominay picked up where he left off.”
“Scott picked up where he left off with his amazing performance and goal,” Conte said.
“Then it was Kevin (de Bruyne)’s great debut. The team has worked well, but we have to continue on this path and continue to improve.
Alex Mellet scored a goal against Sassoro, but it remains to be seen whether Conte will choose a new signature to sign Vanja Millinkovic Savic tomorrow against Rossobre.
“I’ve already told you. You’ll have to wait for the lineup all the time, along with your goalkeeper,” Conte said with a laugh.
“They already know who’s going to play. For me, that doesn’t matter. It was a problem last year, but this year they’re better composed in terms of goalkeeping and we’re happy.”
Finally, Italian tacticians confirmed that Miguel Gutierrez was unavailable and could return after an international break.
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