Serie A 2024-25: Conte praises newcomers McTominay and Lukaku as Napoli leads title charge

Serie A 2024-25: Conte praises newcomers McTominay and Lukaku as Napoli leads title charge

Napoli manager Antonio Conte praised the impact of Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku, both in their first season at the club, after its 2-0 Serie A win over Hellas Verona on Sunday.

Napoli broke the deadlock early on when Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s shot hit the post and rebounded off goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo, while Frank Anguissa sealed the victory with a powerful long-range shot.

Conte said he is still trying to find the right tactics to suit his squad, even as it secured a fifth successive league win, but that the new signings were integral in helping Napoli lead the standings by four points ahead of Inter Milan.

“There have certainly been changes since the beginning of the summer, especially as I am still trying to find the right tactics for this team,” Conte told DAZN.

“The arrival of Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku, in particular, made a big difference to the switch to 4-3-3. We tried a couple of different formations before we settled on this one.”

The coach added that he was pleased with the team’s development, as “there is more confidence, and the whole squad is involved”.

After revealing that forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wanted to leave the Serie A club, Conte said he bore no ill will toward the Georgian and that he was more disappointed with himself.

“It’s a disappointment for me, not for the player or the club,” Conte said. “In six months, I failed to change the situation.

“I believe a coach should help a club to make decisions and advise on what players to sign. When I realise that I was unable to make a difference here, that is my disappointment.

“I take nothing from Khvicha, he’s a good lad, but everyone has to decide their own destiny, just as the club has to make its decisions.”