Napoli vs – Antonio Conte says Napoli must “get back on track” against Cremonese, after a home loss to Lazio. He also praised Alisson Santos’s seriousness and humility.
Napoli go into their home match with Cremonese with a clear message from Antonio Conte: reset quickly, stay sharp, and don’t get punished when the opponent attacks.
Conte’s squad hosts the struggling Serie A side in what he frames as a crucial night for the table. with Napoli aiming to consolidate their position in the top four.. The matchup carries extra weight because Cremonese arrive in a points-hunting mindset. which Conte expects to show in their willingness to play on the counter.
Speaking ahead of kickoff. Conte pointed to the parts of the previous weekend’s defeat to Lazio that still need work.. Napoli. he said. were not absent from the game—he referenced their dominance in possession—but they failed to turn control into decisive moments.. “We had 70% possession,” Conte reflected, while emphasizing that their attacking rhythm broke down in key phases.. He also underlined that the match swung on counterattacks: Napoli created them. but couldn’t finish them with the needed efficiency. while also finding themselves exposed when Lazio attacked with purpose.
The coach’s response is direct: “Today we have to get back on track. ” a line that sums up both the emotional demand and the tactical reality of Serie A.. Against a team like Cremonese. Conte expects the game to be less about patient possession and more about the quality of decisions—especially when Napoli commit players forward.. His warning is specific: be careful of Cremonese’s counterattacks once Napoli attack. because a “quick” team will always look for the transitions that tired defensive shapes can’t cover.
For Conte, the scouting details matter because the next tactical test will come through personnel.. He noted that Cremonese start Okereke. describing him as very quick—an observation that is less about name recognition and more about how Napoli might need to manage spacing and defensive distances when the ball breaks loose.
There is another strand to Conte’s pre-match message, and it goes beyond the result.. Napoli’s January signing, Alisson Santos, is already shaping the conversation around the squad’s future.. Conte portrayed the Brazilian as immediately serious about his role. calling him “serious and humble” and adding that he “wants to learn.” In a league where new arrivals often arrive with pressure attached. Conte’s framing suggests he wants Alisson to grow through the day-to-day work while still meeting the standards Napoli demand.
That kind of coaching tone matters because it speaks to how Napoli handle adaptation—both for players and for moments.. When a team loses at home, the reaction can either become noisy or become disciplined.. Conte’s language suggests he wants Napoli’s reset to be structured: recognize what did not work. correct it. then focus on the next task without drifting into excuses.
From a lineup perspective, Conte also offered clarity.. He indicated that Rrahmani will play in the centre of defence, with Olivera on the right within a back three.. Those decisions point to a familiar priority for Napoli: keeping defensive balance while still having the flexibility to shift quickly during transitions.. Against a side like Cremonese, that balance is not just about defending—it’s also about launching attacks without losing structure.
Why “get back on track” is more than a slogan
Alisson Santos and the training-ground approach
The real battle: counterattacks and decision speed
Napoli will know exactly what Conte expects by the time the whistle goes.. The aim is simple: correct the finishing and transition issues from the Lazio match. respect Cremonese’s counter style. and leave Naples with the kind of result that steadies both the league position and the confidence in the dressing room.