Conte: ‘Newspapers and media should thank Napoli’

NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 14: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli celebrates with his head coach Antonio Conte after scoring his side second goal during the Serie A match between Napoli and Empoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 14, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Antonio Conte argues that ‘the media and newspapers’ should thank Napoli for keeping the title race alive: ‘There’s been an extraordinary improvement.’

Conte’s Napoli kept their title hopes alive on Monday by beating Empoli 3-0 at the Stadio Maradona.

Romelu Lukaku provided two assists and scored a goal, and Scott McTominay bagged a brace.

“We put in a great performance. Empoli create trouble. Even when you press high, they play long balls and are very organised,” Conte told DAZN.

“I am surprised they are fighting to avoid relegation and I wish them the best. They are very well organised. We played a great game even if they could hurt us twice. Today we played as a great team in terms of possession and chances created.

“Don’t forget we were without Di Lorenzo for the first time. Anguissa was also suspended. Buongiorno was injured. Let’s say this team is responding to difficulties with big performances,” the Napoli boss continued.

Inter already beat Cagliari 3-1 on Saturday, so Napoli partially closed the gap with the Nerazzurri moving three points below the top spot.

The Partenopei have conceded 13 goals after the break and lost ten points from a winning position, so Conte was particularly happy with the second-half performance.

“Somebody said we played differently in the second half, but today we were dominant in the second half, so we removed any doubt for those who were unsure about our physical shape,” he said.

“I think the team has really improved. We were lucky when we won the reverse fixture [against Empoli]. I watched that game again. That team is a far relative of who we are today. There’s been an extraordinary improvement. Today’s Napoli is entirely different in how we conduct the game, regardless of who takes the pitch.

“We are in an emergency, but I don’t want my players to have excuses,” added Conte.

“We are there, three points below. Our target was to disturb, and we’ve been disturbing a team that has proved to be really strong, not just in Europe. A complete squad that is doing really well in Europe.”

Inter remain the only Serie A team still involved in three competitions this term.

Not only the Nerazzurri are the league leaders in Italy, but they are also in the Champions League quarter-finals and the Coppa Italia semis.

“I think somebody, the newspapers and the media, should thank Napoli for keeping the title race alive,” concluded Conte.

“Otherwise, we would be talking about a finished season, and there would be fewer talks on TV shows, and fewer newspapers would be sold.”

Napoli’s next game is against Monza at the U-Power Stadium on April 19.