Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The Serie A giants have silenced their critics and skeptics with a resounding statement: Antonio Conte is exactly the right man at the helm.
Napoli recently claimed the Supercoppa Italiana title, defeating Bologna in a convincing final that showcased the team’s quality and determination. The triumph not only adds another trophy to Napoli’s cabinet but also reinforces Conte’s growing reputation as a transformative coach.
De Laurentiis wasted no time in sending a heartfelt message to Napoli supporters, urging them to dream big and continue believing in the team’s potential.
Sweet Revenge Against Bologna
The final served as the perfect revenge for Napoli. Earlier in the Serie A season, Bologna had handed Napoli a 2-0 defeat. However, in the Supercoppa Italiana, the roles were completely reversed.
“Did anyone doubt Conte? We lost 2-0 in Bologna in the league, but here we equalized, with the difference being, as my friend Joey Saputo said, this is a different tournament with a trophy at stake,” De Laurentiis told Sport Mediaset.
He added with a touch of humor, “I apologized to them, but now the score is 1-1, so we’ll wait for them in Naples for the ultimate showdown of the season.”
Injury Crisis Turned into Opportunity
Surprisingly, a wave of injuries provided opportunities for squad players to shine. David Neres, among others, seized the chance to demonstrate his talent on a bigger stage.
De Laurentiis emphasized that Napoli’s squad depth has proven invaluable this season. Strategic summer investments are beginning to pay off, giving the team both resilience and flexibility.
“The same thing happened this season, the difference being that we have more players now because of significant summer transfer investments. So even in adversity, we found luck because we had to play and discover new talents,” De Laurentiis explained.
He also reminded the team to stay grounded, highlighting the challenges ahead: “Let’s remain calm. Setbacks are always around the corner. We have another match against Cremonese in Serie A on December 28, so we must stay focused and not get distracted.”
A Message of Dreams for Napoli Fans
Despite emphasizing vigilance, De Laurentiis encouraged fans to savor this historic achievement. Winning two trophies in a single year is rare, and Napoli supporters deserve to celebrate.
“We are celebrating tonight because, since the era of Maradona, we haven’t won two trophies in a single calendar year. This is significant,” he said.
He continued, “I tell our fans: dream, always dream. Forza Napoli!”
Promises to Reveal Untold Stories
De Laurentiis also addressed ongoing criticism regarding his decisions. He praised the recruitment of Conte as a masterstroke that has brought immediate success.
The president teased that he plans to reveal a “big secret” regarding Napoli’s failures last season.
“We thought the team was strong two or three years ago. There are always periods where a coach must unite the players to bring out the best. Conte is a maestro, and he didn’t need long to adapt and become a winner,” De Laurentiis said.
Reflecting on past critiques, he added, “I believe I have made very few bad decisions in my life, whether with film directors, players, or team coaches. Yet some rude journalists always criticized me when we finished 10th. One day, I will tell the true story of what really happened before the end of that season.”
Napoli’s Rise Under Conte
With this Supercoppa Italiana triumph, Napoli has sent a clear signal to Serie A rivals: under Antonio Conte, they are a force to be reckoned with. De Laurentiis’ unwavering support combined with Conte’s tactical acumen promises a thrilling second half of the season for both players and fans alike.
