Napoli secured a late 1-0 victory over Cagliari thanks to a 95th-minute goal from Frank Anguissa. Coach Antonio Conte praised his team’s persistence and belief, highlighting their dominance and resilience. Napoli is also looking to strengthen their squad with potential signings as they prepare for their return to the Champions League.
Antonio Conte lauded Napoli's unwavering belief after Frank Anguissa's dramatic late goal secured a 1-0 victory over Cagliari, marking their second consecutive win in Serie A. The match, played at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, saw Napoli dominate possession and create numerous chances, but they struggled to break down a resolute Cagliari defense until the dying moments.
"We believed to the end," Conte emphasized, praising his team's relentless pursuit of a goal. "It was your typical game where you run the very big risk of defeat. I would’ve even been happy with the 0-0 because we played as a real team, with patience, trying to find the way through."
Napoli's dominance was evident in their statistics, with over two-thirds of possession and 20 shots, accumulating an expected goals (xG) value of 1.7. However, Cagliari's intense defensive effort frustrated the home side for much of the match. Conte acknowledged the difficulty his team faced, stating, "It felt like the goal was cursed. While Cagliari were very, very intense, I didn’t expect them to be this defensive. We did not allow them counter-attacks, which was the most important thing, as when you are dominating like that, you run the risk."
Anguissa's late strike, timed at 94:43, was the latest goal scored by Napoli in a Serie A match on a 0-0 scoreline since Opta began collecting such data in the 2004/05 season. The goal sparked scenes of jubilation at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, as Napoli secured another valuable three points.
94:43 – The goal scored by Frank Anguissa (94:43) is the latest netted by Napoli on a 0-0 scoreline in a Serie A match since Opta started collecting this kind of data (from 2004/05 season onwards). Climax.#NapoliCagliari pic.twitter.com/irnazcG8Dn
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) August 30, 2025
"We are improving in terms of concentration and intensity, we believed to the end, and were rewarded with the winner 20 seconds from the end. I am very happy," Conte added, highlighting the team's progress.
Looking ahead, Napoli are reportedly close to bolstering their attacking options with the arrival of Rasmus Hojlund on loan from Manchester United, and Eljif Elmas potentially returning from RB Leipzig. These additions would provide valuable depth to the squad, especially with Napoli's return to the Champions League this season. They are set to face Manchester City in a highly anticipated match on September 18. Conte recognizes the importance of squad depth, stating, "I’ve said that we signed players who can give us a hand for the present, and will be the future of Napoli, too. We have tried to grow and complete the squad because, last season, we didn’t have European competition, so we were based around 12 to 13 players."
The victory against Cagliari demonstrates Napoli's resilience and determination, qualities that will be crucial as they compete on both domestic and European fronts this season. With potential new signings on the horizon, Napoli aims to build on their promising start and mount a serious challenge for silverware.
The Partenopei are keen to replicate last year's success, and with a strong start to the Serie A campaign, they are well-positioned to compete for the title again. The addition of Hojlund and the return of Elmas would provide Conte with even more options in attack, making Napoli a dangerous opponent for any team. Napoli's upcoming Champions League campaign will be a stern test of their credentials, but with their quality and determination, they have the potential to make a significant impact in the competition.
Meanwhile, Cagliari will look to bounce back from this narrow defeat, hoping to shore up the defense and cause more problems in attack as the Serie A season progresses. This game will be a learning point for the team as they seek to establish themselves in the top Italian League.
Ultimately, Napoli's late victory encapsulates the drama and excitement of football, showcasing the importance of perseverance and belief until the final whistle. Conte's leadership and the team's collective spirit will be vital as they navigate the challenges ahead in their pursuit of further success.