Lobotka: Conte can take me ‘to another level’, I ‘hate’ playing Atalanta

Stanislav Lobotka Napoli (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka believes Antonio Conte has transformed his ‘mentality’ and ‘defensive phase’, explaining him how to reach ‘the next level’.

The Slovakia international revealed that he had already heard about Conte’s demanding coaching style from his compatriot Milan Skriniar, who played under him at Inter.

However, his expectations were quickly confirmed during his first training session with Conte, when he immediately thought the former Juventus boss was ‘the best coach we could have chosen’.

Lobotka: Conte is the best manager Napoli could’ve chosen

“I think he has changed my mentality and then the defensive phase,” Lobotka said in an interview with DAZN.

“I used to defend before as well, but now he shows better how to do it, how to switch play, I have to play more advanced on the pitch. Even when I receive the ball, I already know what I need to do.

“Before he arrived, I already knew he was a great coach. I had heard it from Skriniar when he was at Inter—his training sessions are very tough.

“He has given me a lot, especially in terms of mentality and how to reach the next level. Because before, I thought there were certain things I just couldn’t do.

“From the very first day, I felt he wasn’t like other coaches, you could immediately sense his personality. ‘Okay, he’s the best coach we could have chosen,’ I thought after the first training session.

“Right away, I started to understand, ‘Wow, this season is going to be tough.’ But wherever he has gone, he has won the league or other titles.

“I know it’s difficult, but he can take me to another level, both on and off the pitch.”

Lobotka has a clear idea of who the toughest rivals in Serie A are.

“I hate playing against Atalanta,” he said.

“They’re a great team, I respect them, but with their man-to-man marking all over the pitch, they don’t give me an inch!

“It’s always really tough against them, but also against other non-top clubs, like Venezia or Verona. They always try to block me and mark me tightly. It’s not easy for me.”