Napoli's triumphant 2024-25 Serie A season, spearheaded by Antonio Conte, has set high expectations for the upcoming campaign. However, Conte himself is tempering those expectations, describing his squad as a "work in progress" despite their impressive Scudetto victory.
Last season saw Napoli clinch the Serie A title by a single point over Inter Milan, securing a coveted return to the Champions League. Their defensive prowess was a key factor, conceding a league-low 27 goals. While their attacking output of 59 goals was respectable, it ranked sixth in the league, prompting an offseason focus on bolstering their offensive options.
Napoli's ambitions were evident in their transfer activity, welcoming established stars like Kevin De Bruyne, alongside promising talents like Noa Lang and Lorenzo Lucca, to their attacking ranks. However, these additions were balanced by the departures of key players, including Victor Osimhen and Giacomo Raspadori, creating a significant turnover in the squad.
Despite the Scudetto win and the influx of new talent, statistical models suggest Napoli face a challenging road to repeat their success. A supercomputer analysis gives them a 14% probability of winning Serie A this season, a figure dwarfed by Inter Milan's 34% chance. Conte's caution, therefore, appears well-founded, given the significant changes within the team and the statistical odds.
"Since I arrived a year ago, we signed 13 new players and sold seven, among them top players like Victor Osimhen, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Giacomo Raspadori," Conte stated, highlighting the scale of the squad transformation. "These are facts. So when any team has this much movement in and out, it is still in the reconstruction stage."
Conte emphasized the inherent difficulties in maintaining competitiveness with such substantial squad turnover. "Not many teams who want to be competitive for the Scudetto can handle all this movement," he noted, underscoring the challenge ahead.
While acknowledging the extraordinary nature of their title win, Conte stressed the need for gradual progress. "It's true we won the title, which was extraordinary and incredible, but now we need to take the second step before we can think about taking the third," he explained, advocating a step-by-step approach to sustained success.
"At my original press conference, I said I'd be happy to find some stability," Conte revealed, indicating a desire for consistency after a period of significant change. "Now we are trying to complete a squad that was not capable of being competitive over several different tournaments."
Beyond the high-profile attacking signings, Napoli also secured the services of Sam Beukema, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Luca Marianucci, Mathias Ferrante, and Emanuele Rao, further reinforcing their squad depth and tactical flexibility. Conte expressed confidence in his new acquisitions, backing them to thrive under the pressures of Serie A and Champions League football.
"All teams who brought in a lot of new players will be a work in progress at this stage," Conte reiterated, acknowledging the common challenges faced by teams undergoing significant squad transformations. "I am happy with the effort put in by the lads."
Conte highlighted the positive responses from both the existing squad members and the new arrivals. "I received positive responses both from the old group and the six new lads, but it is inevitable that it will take time to get them into the mechanisms and tactical ideas," he stated, emphasizing the importance of integration and tactical cohesion.
"Balance is essential for all teams. When I say we are a work in progress, I mean also that we are trying different solutions. We did it throughout last season too," Conte explained, emphasizing the ongoing process of refinement and adaptation. "A coach must seek alternatives, even if we are working hard on the 4-3-3 formation. Balance is the key to everything."
As Napoli prepares to defend their Serie A title, their campaign begins against Sassuolo on August 23rd. While expectations remain high, Antonio Conte's realistic assessment serves as a reminder that building a dynasty requires patience, stability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
