Napoli Not Dead Yet: Conte Hails Maradona Tribute as Squad Surges Through Injury Storm

Conte: Napoli Not Dead Yet, Maradona Tribute After Injury Storm

Napoli coach Antonio Conte continued to voice his irritation about injuries weighing down his squad, even after a 2-0 win over Qarabag in the Champions League group stage.

The team had faced pressure after a string of disappointing results in Europe, and Conte was especially frustrated when Rasmus Hojlund missed a penalty in a goalless draw.

The southern club eventually breached Qarabag's defense with a header from Scott McTominay and a second goal from the Scottish forward after a deflection off Marko Janković.

European and Domestic Form

In addition to the 3-1 league victory over Atalanta on Saturday, Napoli seemed to have steadied the ship and regained team unity.

Conte waited for the final whistle to celebrate with his players in the center circle, paying tribute to Napoli's legend Diego Maradona on the fifth anniversary of his passing.

Energy, Injuries and Recovery

Conte told Sky Sports Italia, "It was a special evening for Napoli and for all the people here. Maradona means something impossible to describe unless you are in the city, so we wanted to pay tribute with this match".

There was positive energy in the stadium and we absorbed it as well, he said.

More than two weeks earlier Conte had reacted angrily after a 2-0 league defeat against Bologna, saying he did not want to coach a "dead" team.

Asked if Napoli is alive now with these results, Conte replied, "Napoli wasn’t dead, so it’s not about survival. It’s about work and giving our best every time."

We may win or lose, but the players know they must give their best every time, he added.

On injuries he noted, "We are in a very difficult period; seven players were on the bench, two goalkeepers and two youngsters. It’s a hard spell since the start of the season."

He continued, "If you don’t have a large squad to choose from, you must find different solutions while avoiding the risk of repeating players and inviting new injuries."

He concluded, "We gave a good performance against Atalanta and Qarabag; there are no easy matches in the Champions League."

Energy is crucial; I must be the first to bring energy to the team so I can pass it on, he said. We took responsibility in Bologna, perhaps not delivering the energy I wanted. Energy is essential; we need the right level to help each other and endure together for a common goal.

People judge teams by results, but in a difficult season like this it’s hard; injuries are outside control. We had only 15 minutes to train due to a storm, and in those minutes one of our players sprained an ankle.

Conte added, "When people look at results, they say Napoli is in crisis, but they overlook the surrounding conditions. In emergencies, everyone’s responsibility grows, and the players understand the difficulty and the danger we face."

Napoli is a comeback story, chasing the champions as they navigate a demanding schedule in Europe and Italy.

Napoli returned to the Champions League this season after finishing 10th last year and missing out on European competition. They began with a 2-0 defeat away to Manchester City but recovered by beating Sporting Lisbon 2-1 at the Maradona. A 6-2 defeat to Eindhoven followed, then a goalless draw with Frankfurt. Beating Qarabag 2-0 gave them three group-stage points. In five matches, Napoli had seven points, placing them in a competitive position in the group.

In Serie A, Napoli began at the top but have recently endured a dip with a goalless draw with Como and a 2-0 defeat to Bologna, followed by a 1-0 loss at Torino and a 2-1 loss to Milan. In 12 league games, Conte's side had eight wins, one draw and three losses, scoring 19 and conceding 11.

After the Bologna defeat, Napoli bounced back with a 3-1 win over Atalanta, reasserting themselves and moving toward the top three. Across 12 rounds they had eight wins, one draw and three losses, with 19 goals scored and 11 conceded.

Overall, Napoli's season has tested the squad's resilience, with Conte asking for energy and unity as they chase results in domestic and European competitions.

Punchline 1: If Napoli's injuries were a movie, the sequel would be titled “Injury Strikes Back” and somehow they’d still score in the end.

Punchline 2: Conte’s pep talks are so powerful they could power the stadium—no fuel needed, just a caffeine-fueled smile.