Conte on Napoli Remarkable Start: “If You Told Me Three Months Ago, I Wouldn’t Have Believed It”

Antonio Conte is among the most highly-rated managers in Europe, but he seems to have outdone himself at Napoli. After a horror start, the former Scudetto winner with Inter and Juventus have turned the three-time Serie A champions into a force to be reckoned with.

Conte’s pupil, Romelu Lukaku, is a gift that keeps on giving. The 31-year-old striker scored from the spot and delivered two assists on either side of halftime to inspire Napoli to a 3-1 home win against Como on Friday night.

It wasn’t a routine victory as the scoreline might suggest, but it was still a confirmation of Partenopei’s surge to prominence under Conte. Whatever happens over the weekend, Napoli will enter October’s international break as the Serie A pacesetters.

During his trophy-laden managerial career, Conte has got used to sitting at the top of the pile. But even the 55-year-old cannot believe Napoli are back at the table’s summit after more than 400 days. Or, this is another mind game meticulously planned by the decorated coach to relieve the pressure on his players.

“I don’t know if this is currently a Napoli that deserves to be in first place in the standings, but we are first and that is a fact,” Conte told DAZN after last night’s match, as reported by ESPN. “If someone had told me this three months ago, it would have been difficult to believe.

“We’re growing in terms of temperament, and in our ability to adapt-playing good football, but also willing to get our hands dirty when we need to. That’s a great sign, and we have to embrace it fully.“

Despite Conte’s well-documented tactical brilliance, not even the most optimistic Napoli fans could’ve foreseen this scenario. Their side has mustered five wins and a draw since a 3-0 thumping at Hellas Verona on the opening Serie A weekend to soar to the top of the standings.