Atalanta-Napoli, Conte: "We don't want to stop, but it's still long"

Bergamo, 18 January 2025 - Talking about a Scudetto goal in late January is perhaps premature, but if one of the contenders is beaten at home and above all distanced by 7 points then some initial assessment could be drawn: the goal in question is the one with which Lukaku closes il 3-2 trimmed toAtalanta from Napoli, result that had been opened by politan e McTominay, with Retegui e Lookman to complete the scoreboard on the other side, that of the losers.

Gasperini's statements

Speaking of losers, Gian Piero Gasperini analyses this evening's defeat which risks scaling down their ambitions: or maybe not. "We were a bit taken by the negative episodes, but I am satisfied with the performance, which I consider superior to that of Napoli. This increases our regret, because against such strong teams you can't give anything away, because then you pay the price. This match will give us strength, we will come out of it stronger. Tonight, unlike other times, we didn't have that bit of luck that we would have needed: it's not the best period". Then the comment on a fight for the Scudetto that risks being reduced to two teams, precisely Napoli e Inter, called in turn not to make any more mistakes. "We are probably out, but we never thought about the title. This should not take anything away from the extraordinary path that the boys are taking, who also did very well tonight. I liked everyone except, perhaps, Carnesecchi, for the simple fact that he was not engaged. We leave with zero points, but from Atalanta even stronger". Not without a hint of nervousness, Gasperini tries to comment on the possible objectives of his team. "There is too much talk instead of enjoying the games and performances, like the one tonight. Now let's focus on Champions League, because we have the chance to get into the top eight."

Conte's statements

On the other side, that of the winners, there is Antonio Conte, who doesn't want to stop his team's run, which has now reached its sixth consecutive victory. "We had set up the game clearly. We played at high intensity and we held our own against a team that presses in this way. We, on the other hand, have had very strong improvements, like them, but with the difference that our journey has only just begun. We must continue like this thanks to the availability that the boys give me every day on the training pitch. We don't want to get down from where we are, but it's still a long way off". In short, it is (still) forbidden to talk about the championship, but at the same time it is still impossible not to do so with a ranking like that. "We are going strong to put the hay in the barn first of all to get back to Europe, but apart from that we don't want to stop even though there are still several teams that can come in and cause trouble". Finally, some wise advice, especially at this point in the season. "You shouldn't get too down in times of difficulty, but you shouldn't get too excited in times of positives either".