Conte: “Suffering is Part of Victory”
“Winning teams know how to adapt—they can be tough when needed, get their hands dirty, and adjust to whatever the game throws at them. Sometimes, things don’t go your way, but it’s on those tough days that you need to handle the situation wisely. That’s why I talk about the journey—understanding when things get difficult is key. On Sunday, we need to be prepared to suffer because suffering is part of winning, and it only makes you stronger. If we lack the spirit of sacrifice, especially compared to Empoli, I won’t tolerate it.”
Conte: “Victory is Built, Not Invented”
“I take responsibility for bringing Napoli back to being a strong team, one that can compete for the title every year. I understand the pressure when people in the city say, ‘Coach, we want the Scudetto.’ My answer is always, ‘Patience.’ Success doesn’t happen overnight. Victories need to be built step by step. Sure, sometimes it can feel like it happens suddenly, but the truth is we’re working on laying solid foundations. Our goal is to build something long-lasting and make our fans proud.”
Conte: “It’s Foolish to Think Long-Term”
“Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t like looking too far ahead. I always focus on the next game, and that’s the mindset I try to instill in my team. Empoli are a tough opponent, and people from the outside may underestimate them by saying, ‘This game is winnable, and that one will be harder,’ but I believe every game is a challenge. You don’t win games on paper. We need to give everything on Sunday, and then we’ll shift our focus to the next game. Thinking long-term is a mistake—we need to go game by game.”
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Conte: “Empoli Are Strong and Well-Organized”
“Empoli are a strong and well-organized team. They only suffered their first defeat just before the break, and it came in the final minutes against Lazio. They have some talented players, and their president, Corsi, has built something sustainable that causes problems for their opponents. Historically, they’ve always been a difficult team for us, but we’re ready to write a new story on Sunday. It will be a tough match, especially with a coach like Roberto, who is not just a great professional but a good friend of mine. I’m happy to see him doing well.”
Conte: “Break? Too Much Excitement. Gilmour Steps In for Lobotka”
“How are we after the break? Honestly, there’s been a bit too much excitement, and I’m glad we’re back to playing. It’s only been 15 days, but it felt like the excitement was over the top. We’re happy with where we are, but the standings are tight, and we have to restart well. Unfortunately, the break caused some issues—Lobotka came back with a flexor problem, which isn’t too serious but needs managing. It’s a shame because he’s been in top form. However, this gives Billy Gilmour a chance to step in. I have great faith in him; he’s been waiting for his moment, and now it’s here. We’re confident he’ll deliver.”
Conte: “We Are Still a Work in Progress”
“Where is Napoli right now? We still have a ‘work in progress’ sign up. After only three months, we can’t expect things to be perfect, and it would be a mistake to overlook the amount of work that goes into rebuilding a team. There’s satisfaction in the effort we’re putting in, but we still have a journey ahead of us. The path is clear, but we need to stay on it. I’m lucky to have a dedicated group of players, but we know there will be tough moments ahead. It’s easy when things are going well, but we need to stay mentally and emotionally strong when challenges arise.”