Antonio Conte apologises to fans after Napoli ‘melted like snow in the sun’ against Verona
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Coach Antonio Conte and Napoli endured a dreadful start to the campaign when Verona scored three goals in the second half.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
NAPLES – Coach Antonio Conte apologised to Napoli’s fans after his side were humbled 3-0 at Hellas Verona in Serie A on Aug 18 and said he took responsibility for the loss.
Napoli endured a dreadful start to the campaign when Verona scored three goals in the second half, with the 2023 champions unable to prevent the hosts from creating chance after chance.
“We immediately let Verona have a shot at the start of the second half, and in the second instance we went behind,” Conte told Sky Sports Italia. “Then we melted like snow in the sun. What I feel like saying is that we should apologise to the Neapolitan supporters... who follow us with such passion.
“I am the coach and it is right that I take full responsibility.”
Verona new boys Dailon Livramento and Daniel Mosquera, with a brace, were on target at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, giving Conte a nightmare league start at troubled Napoli.
On the eve of the match, the former Juventus, Chelsea and Italy coach described this season as “year zero” after Napoli finished 10th as defending champions in their previous disastrous campaign in which they went through three different coaches.
Conte said a lot of work would be needed to bring Napoli up to the standard he aimed for.
“(It was) a performance that shows we need to work hard in every aspect. I came to Napoli with lots of enthusiasm, with great desire. If I can help Napoli, I will.”
The coach, 55, said he might seek additional reinforcements before the transfer window closed.
“On the market, one, two, three, four could arrive, as many as the club want to sign. The problems must be faced head-on, and they are not necessarily easy issues to fix.”
The loss of talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia just before the break proved crucial. Kvaratskhelia was hurt by Pawel Dawidowicz after a Jackson Tchatchoua tackle denied the Georgian star a chance to score.
With Kvaratskhelia off, Napoli had much less cutting edge and Verona took the lead when Livramento neatly guided home Darko Lazovic’s pinpoint cross.
Substitute Mosquera secured the points with a debut goal of his own 15 minutes later before he made the scoreline even more embarrassing for Napoli and Conte in stoppage time when left all alone to tap in Lazovic’s low pass.
“It’s crazy, we drive every day to training together, we’re both strikers but we’re good teammates on and off the field,” said Cape Verde forward Livramento of his friendship with Mosquera. REUTERS, AFP
