Antonio Conte was disappointed with Napoli despite their 2-1 win over Genoa, admitting that “there was one thing I didn’t like in the second half”.
With Atalanta not in action until Sunday, the Partenopei took full advantage to leapfrog Gian Piero Gasperini’s side at the Serie A summit.
The damage was done in the first half as headers from Frank Anguissa and Amir Rahmani rendered Andrea Pinamonti’s strike an academic start to the second half.
However, Napoli had Alex Merrett to thank for protecting the three points, with the goalkeeper making a smart save to keep the hosts at bay.
And Conte insists his players must consistently improve their performance levels if they are to truly compete at the top of the table.
Full Time: #GenoaNapoli1-2
#ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/57Nhp4GuNp
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) December 21, 2024
“If you only see the result and the three points, you create nothing,” he told DAZN. “Our first half was our best of the season, and I really didn’t expect the second half to be like that. Maybe, I felt it in the locker room at halftime.
“The players must understand they must play from start to finish, always with the foot on the gas. I didn’t like a single thing about the second half. Attack and defend, that should be our mantra.
“I’ve got players who know where they need to improve, and they’re going to go home disappointed after dropping about three points today.
“If we want to have minimal ambition and be there causing problems for the top places, we have to be at it for 95 minutes.”
Meanwhile, Genoa saw their six-match unbeaten streak come to an end as they suffered their first defeat under Patrick Vieira, who was still pleased with his side’s effort.
“We showed that we can play good football but in the end, we couldn’t take any points,” he said. “After the game, I told the guys that if we did like the second half, we’d win more games.
“It was the first half where we didn’t play the way we wanted to play. But I think the quality of the opposition has also put the team at a disadvantage.
“In the second half, we were more aggressive, we grew and I think the team deserved the point. I feel sorry for the players.”
