Napoli needed to bounce back after a jarring 6-2 loss to PSV in the UEFA Champions League. In a demonstration of their resilience, they triumphed 3-1 against a high-caliber Inter team, featuring Cristian Chivu as the coach, at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The victory reinforced Napoli’s status as contenders in Serie A this season, particularly following their championship win the previous season. Head coach Antonio Conte was pivotal in this match, making controversial decisions regarding his lineup and engaging in a fiery exchange with Lautaro Martinez.
ANDRÉ-FRANK ZAMBO ANGUISSA STUNNER FOR NAPOLI 🤩 pic.twitter.com/jKmYteoacO
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Following their previous defeat, Conte voiced his unease regarding the current season and the new player acquisitions: “Last year we won an extraordinary and incredible championship where everyone pushed their limits with unity. This year has been challenging with nine new players compromising our balance.” He opted to bench key summer signings, including strikers Lorenzo Lucca, Noa Lang, and defender Sam Beukema, emphasizing his concerns regarding the team’s current dynamic.
Inter initially pressured Napoli, threatening to score first before a contentious penalty was awarded to Napoli, which Kevin De Bruyne converted. Unfortunately, De Bruyne got injured during the penalty kick, requiring an early substitution.
Conte’s tactical maneuvers proved intriguing, particularly his choice to deploy David Neres rather than a more traditional striker like Lucca, who previously received a red card against PSV. The injury to De Bruyne may prompt Napoli to reconsider their tactical approach going forward, possibly reverting to a 4-3-3 formation.
The match also saw a heated confrontation between Conte and Inter’s captain, Lautaro Martinez, igniting discussions post-match. Conte acknowledged Martinez’s talent but admitted, “maybe I didn’t get the chance to know him on a personal level.”
From their previous altercation during Conte’s time as Inter’s manager, Martinez recalled, “We had a little argument at the time and it was resolved. My teammates set up a boxing ring as a joke—it was better to laugh about it!”
