NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 18: Antonio Conte, head coach of SSC Napoli, gestures during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 18, 2026, in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
In a strongly worded address, Napoli head coach Antonio Conte has emphasized the urgent need for his team to “get back on track” as they prepare to face Cremonese, aiming to solidify their standing among Italy’s top four.
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Tonight, Conte’s squad will host the struggling Serie A side in what promises to be a crucial encounter for both clubs.
The match is set to kick off at 19:45 BST (20:45 local time) at the iconic Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Fans can keep up with all the developments through our live blog.
Addressing the media before the match, Conte expressed confidence in his players during an interview with Dazn, relayed by TuttoMercatoWeb. “I’m sure we have intelligent players; they recognize the areas where we faltered in our last outing,” he remarked.
Conte: ‘Napoli Weren’t Clinical Enough Against Lazio’
Reflecting on his team’s recent 2-0 defeat to Lazio, Conte acknowledged the team’s possession dominance but pinpointed their lack of finishing. “We controlled 70% of the game, yet wasted key counterattacking opportunities. We’ve discussed it, and it’s understandable,” he explained.
Conte was clear about his intentions moving forward: “Today, we need to regain our momentum. It’s going to be a challenging match; Cremonese are chasing points. We must be wary of their swift counterattacks; I noticed they’ve started Okereke, a notably quick player.”
In the same breath, Conte addressed the impact of newcomer Alisson Santos, who joined the club in January and quickly made a name for himself. “He’s a serious and humble individual eager to learn. It’s our responsibility to facilitate his growth,” the coach noted.
Finally, Conte clarified his tactical choices: “Rrahmani will anchor our defense in the center, with Olivera positioned on the right side of the back three.”
