Antonio Conte believes that up to eight teams could win Serie A this season, as Napoli begins their title defense. Napoli won against Sassuolo, extending their unbeaten run to 13 matches. Conte wants his team to be focused against Cagliari, remembering how they won the Scudetto last season, despite Napoli’s strong record against Cagliari, Conte warns against complacency. Napoli is also preparing to face Manchester City, Chelsea and Benfica in the Champions League.
Antonio Conte has ignited excitement ahead of the 2025-26 Serie A season, suggesting that as many as eight teams could realistically compete for Napoli's crown. This bold prediction adds a layer of intrigue to the Italian top flight, setting the stage for a potentially captivating title race.
Napoli commenced their Scudetto defense with a hard-fought victory over Sassuolo, securing a 2-0 win courtesy of goals from Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne. The victory extended Napoli's impressive unbeaten streak to 13 matches (W8 D5), the longest current run across Europe's top five leagues. Despite this strong form, Conte remains cautious, emphasizing the challenges that lie ahead.
As Napoli prepares to face Cagliari at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the memories of their title-clinching victory against the same opponent on the final day of the 2024-25 season are still fresh. Conte urged his players to replicate the focus and intensity displayed in that crucial match.
"We won the Scudetto with authority, enduring pressure as well. What I expect is focus and intensity, like in that match,” Conte stated. “We were a team that stepped onto the pitch knowing exactly what we wanted to do. It will be another game tomorrow, the second one, and Cagliari will want to confirm the good things they did against Fiorentina."
Conte cautioned against complacency, reminding his team that wearing the Scudetto badge is no guarantee of success. He stressed the importance of matching Cagliari's intensity to secure a positive result. "So, if we think we’re Napoli, and we’ll win just because we have the Scudetto on our shirts, we’ll make a big mistake. If we match the intensity that they will bring, then we’ll deliver an excellent performance," he warned.
Looking at the bigger picture, Conte reiterated his belief in the competitive nature of Serie A, highlighting the strength and depth of several clubs. "As I said before the start of the season, it will be a very difficult league, as always. There will be a great balance. I see seven or eight well-equipped clubs, and there will be a real battle. I say this very honestly, it’s going to be tough. There are seven, eight sides that are strong enough to aim for everything.”
Beyond Serie A, Napoli is gearing up for a return to the Champions League, eager to learn from the competition's established powerhouses. The draw for the league phase has pitted them against formidable opponents such as Manchester City, Chelsea, and Benfica.
Full time#SassuoloNapoli 0-2
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— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) August 23, 2025
Conte acknowledged the excitement surrounding the Champions League campaign but emphasized the immediate focus on the Cagliari match. "We are delighted to participate in this competition,” Conte told TMW. “It is the top competition a club can play in. From our side, there is enthusiasm and a desire to play, and we do it with a lot of humility, trying to learn from the masters of this tournament and those who have already won it, just like good students. Perhaps one day we will surpass our teachers. Right now, however, we are focused on the league because the next match is the most important one, against Cagliari, so our minds and focus are entirely on Cagliari.”
Napoli's key player to watch is Scott McTominay. The Scotland international, fresh off winning the Serie A MVP award, has already found the net this season. Among the current Serie A players, he stands out as the only one to have reached double figures in goals in this calendar year. Furthermore, he is tied for the most headed goals in the competition.
Cagliari's player to watch is Yerry Mina. He demonstrated his qualities in the last match, he had 72 touches, 48 accurate passes and won three aerial duels and will be key to containing Napoli's attacking threat.
Looking at the historical data, Napoli holds a dominant record against Cagliari, having lost only one of their last 28 Serie A encounters. Their recent form is also impressive, with an unbeaten streak stretching back to February. Cagliari, on the other hand, has struggled in recent matches against Napoli and has a poor away record against the Partenopei.
Considering these factors, the prediction is a Napoli win with high probability. According to Opta's win probability, Napoli has a 68.7% chance of winning, a draw is at 18.4% and Cagliari has 12.9%.