Antonio Conte Discusses Napoli's Strategy For Coppa Italia Match Against Lazio

Antonio Conte plans to use Napoli's upcoming Coppa Italia match against Lazio to give some of his lesser-used players a chance to impress. Despite not competing in Europe this season, Napoli leads Serie A after a 1-0 victory over Torino, with Scott McTominay scoring the decisive goal. This absence from European competitions offers them a slight edge in their pursuit of the Scudetto.

Conte has strategically rested key players during the cup matches, allowing others to gain valuable playing time. Napoli has already progressed through two rounds of the Coppa Italia, defeating Serie B teams Modena and Palermo. "This year in some respects it is penalising for many players because we only have the league, and we have the Coppa Italia," Conte mentioned to reporters.

He further explained that these matches provide opportunities for squad members who have seen limited action so far. "We played two games, the season opener with Modena, then with Palermo there was the possibility to give space to the players who had less time until then," he added. The upcoming match against Lazio presents another chance for player development.

Lazio has also begun their Serie A campaign positively, currently sitting fifth after 14 matches and trailing Napoli by just four points. They remain unbeaten in their last three encounters with Napoli, winning two and drawing one. Conte acknowledges the challenge his team faces if they are to advance to the quarter-finals.

"We always look at game-by-game, so the most important is Thursday's," Conte stated. He emphasised that squad rotation is crucial due to the depth of talent available. "Having said that, I'll make choices because there are many players in the squad," he noted.

Conte Responds to Inter President's Comments

Conte also addressed comments made by Inter president Giuseppe Marotta, who labelled Napoli as favourites for this season's Serie A title. "The director can say what he wants," Conte remarked. He suggested that Marotta might not be pleased if Inter fails to secure the Scudetto and may overlook other potential challengers.

The focus remains on maintaining high competition levels within Napoli's squad, ensuring all players contribute to their success. "The credit must be shared with the entire squad," Conte concluded, highlighting those who have kept intensity high in training despite limited playing time.