Antonio Conte worn down but defiant as Napoli eye Serie A title in final push

PARMA – Napoli coach Antonio Conte laid bare the emotional toll of a gruelling title race, admitting that the season had pushed him beyond his limits as his side prepare for one final push towards the Serie A title.

Their penultimate match of the campaign was a roller coaster, ending in a 0-0 draw at Parma on May 18 that saw them hit the woodwork and have a stoppage-time penalty overturned after a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) check.

Napoli head into the final round with a one-point lead over second-placed Inter Milan, but the 55-year-old Conte admitted the season was taking a toll on him.

Inter looked to be in the driving seat going into their final game, before they conceded a 90th-minute penalty that saw them draw 2-2 with Lazio on May 18 at the San Siro.

“It is certainly the most difficult season of my career. I gave everything, I went beyond my limits. I also know I am exhausted, I’m just about reaching the end of this season,” Conte told Dazn.

“Napoli is wonderful for the passion and enthusiasm, but it also brings with it demands and expectations that are often higher than the realistic capabilities.”

Napoli can secure their second title in three seasons at home to Cagliari on May 23.

“We are close to the Scudetto, but we still have to take that final step. It will be taken on our home turf, with the support of our fans,” Conte told Dazn.

“It is a very difficult campaign, we have achieved what we wanted to do, which was to trouble the leaders to the end.

“We have been at the top for a long time, despite a season full of difficulties, but we never complained, we kept going and we are right there to achieve something unthinkable and historic for Napoli.”

Yet due to his red card in the final minutes of the Parma match, Conte will not be on the bench against Cagliari after what looked like a scuffle with Parma coach Cristian Chivu.

“I was annoyed by Parma’s obstruction today, as I was used to English football, where there aren’t all these stops for cramp, injuries, pretending to be injured, so it irritated me and that’s why I was sent off,” he said.

“It irritates me, because you work all year to have a decisive match. I trust the staff and these lads, I above all trust the crowd at the Stadio Maradona.”

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi will also miss their final match away to Como, also on May 23, after being sent off for his livid reaction at the VAR check, which led to forward Pedro Rodriguez levelling from the penalty spot.

Defender Yann Bisseck had a roller-coaster game for Inter, scoring their opener before conceding a handball penalty at the death. That drama was sandwiched by goals from wingback Denzel Dumfries and Pedro. REUTERS, AFP