Napoli will be hoping to kick off their New Year celebrations when they host Venezia in Serie A on Sunday, but Antonio Conte doesn’t expect it to be easy.
The 2023 Scudetto winners have regained their excellent form under Conte this season as they sit second in the table with 38 points, two points behind leaders Atalanta.
Napoli have lost two of their last three home games in Serie A (one win) after winning each of their first five home league games this season.
However, Conte is positive about their hopes of finishing in 2024.
“We hope to end 2024 with a bit more fun for the fans, for ourselves, to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style,” Conte told a press conference on Saturday.
“It’s been five very intense months, living life to the max. The atmosphere is beautiful and enthusiastic.
“Coaching in Naples really gives you a lot, but at the same time it’s demanding in many ways.
“I’m very happy, however, my goal and the boys’ goal, I always say, is to have no regrets in any situation and in any match.
“We must leave the pitch with the feeling of giving our all, without saying we could have done better.”
The Partenopei have already equaled last season’s tally of home wins (six), where they went through three coaches and finished tenth.
Opponents Venezia are 19th with 13 points and are currently enduring the longest away games without a win in Serie A, drawing four and losing 12 of their last 16.
Conte, though, won’t take them lightly, saying: “Everyone is thinking of an easy win because Venezia are second from last, but if we look at Juve and Inter’s home games [against Venezia] We should at least be worried.
“Venezia has a good coach, they have their own ideas and for us, these three fundamentals must be collected.”
Napoli will hope that Atalanta, who are on an 11-game winning streak, stumble at fourth-placed Lazio on Friday, allowing them to reclaim top spot.
