Antonio Conte has a lot of work to do.
The new Napoli coach became the club’s fifth manager in just over a year when he was hired in June. On Sunday, he witnessed his team’s disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Hellas Verona in his first game back in Serie A.
“We melted like snow in the sun after the first goal,” Conte admitted. “We should apologize to the Neapolitan people, who follow us with passion. I am the coach and it is right that I take full responsibility. In the second half, there was an unacceptable performance. We should be ashamed, and I have to be ashamed, as I am coach. Those who know me know that today my heart is bleeding, and I hope that some of the players are also bleeding, so that would mean that at least we are on the right path.”
Dailon Livramento and Daniel Mosquera, both making their league debuts, scored to secure the victory for Verona on the opening weekend of the Italian league season. Adding to Napoli’s woes, key player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia left the field due to injury.
Napoli has been in a slump since Luciano Spalletti departed last summer after leading the club to its first title in more than 30 years. The southern team finished 10th last season and is hoping for significant improvement under Conte, who has previously guided Juventus and Inter Milan to league titles.
Verona emerged after the break with renewed vigor. Grigoris Kastanos came close with a curling shot just past the far post, and they took the lead when Livramento connected with Darko Lazovic’s cross to find the bottom right corner.
Napoli’s André-Frank Zambo Anguissa struck the crossbar in the 61st minute, but Hellas Verona doubled their advantage when they won the ball in midfield. Ondrej Duda played through substitute Mosquera, who fired past Alex Meret in the 75th minute. Mosquera, having been on the field for less than two minutes, added his second goal in stoppage time, capitalizing on a lapse in Napoli’s defense.
Verona was one of only two teams to secure a win in the opening round. Lazio was the other, rallying to defeat newly promoted Venezia 3-1.
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Conte has work to do as Napoli 'melted like snow in the sun' at Verona
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