Conte on controversial VAR call and how Napoli ‘improved’ Hojlund after Man Utd

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Antonio Conte said ‘evidently something is not going right’ with VAR and referees after his two-match ban, but explains how Napoli ‘improved’ Rasmus Hojlund where Manchester United didn’t.

The Partenopei are back in action this evening with the rescheduled Week 16 Serie A fixture, which was moved from December due to the Supercoppa Italiana commitments.

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 17.30 GMT (18.30 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Inter-Lecce on the Liveblog.

Conte will not be on the touchline, as he was sent off during the 2-2 draw with Inter on Sunday for his furious reaction to a penalty.

Conte still fuming over San Siro controversy

“I told the team we needed to turn the page straight away and focus on the next game, seeing as we had so little time to recover,” Conte told DAZN Italia.

“It was certainly a good performance against Inter, but the fixture list is packed, and we must turn the page immediately.”

The coach refused to speak to the media straight after that match, so does he want to explain why he was so angry at the penalty call?

“I don’t want to go back on incidents that many coaches have complained about. Evidently something is not going right. I prefer to focus on the pitch.”

It was instead put to Conte that Napoli have improved Hojlund in leaps and bounds since his arrival from Manchester United in mid-August, when he was snapped up as a replacement for injured Romelu Lukaku.

“Rasmus is a player who has improved so much since he first arrived. He is 22 years old, we saw great potential in him, but inevitably these lads need to be coached by people who can improve them, teach them how to work for the team, the positioning, when to go towards the ball and when to attack the space,” continued Conte.

“Our job is to keep improving all the players and make them better than when they first arrive.”

David Neres missed the last couple of games with a sprained ankle, but is back on the bench this evening.

“Neres had only half a training session yesterday, so we’ll see, it’s by no means certain he can play today. If he is 100 per cent sure, then he can come on for a bit, if not then he’ll rest. We’re not sure if he can feature today.”