Napoli Boss Conte Warns Against Dangerous Venezia Ahead of Serie A Clash
Napoli manager Antonio Conte has urged his side to stay vigilant against relegation-threatened Venezia, emphasizing that their strong record against top teams makes them formidable opponents despite their struggles this season.
With 60 points from 28 matches, Napoli sit comfortably in second place, contrasting sharply with Venezia’s precarious position in 19th, five points adrift of safety. However, Eusebio Di Francesco’s side has proven resilient in defence, holding Lazio and Atalanta to goalless draws while pushing both Inter Milan and AS Roma to hard-fought 1-0 victories.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium, Conte acknowledged the challenge posed by Venezia’s defensive solidity.
“We have to demonstrate that we are stronger, hungrier, and more determined than them because they will bring the same intensity,” Conte told reporters. “I’ve analyzed how teams like Inter, Roma, and Lazio struggled there. It won’t be a straightforward match—we need to show maturity and stay focused.”
The Napoli boss stressed that nothing can be taken for granted against a side desperate to secure top-flight survival.
“Venezia are fighting for their lives, and they will use every tool at their disposal to stay up. We need to be at our best,” he added.
Conte also heaped praise on striker Romelu Lukaku, who was instrumental in Napoli’s 2-1 victory over Fiorentina last week, scoring and assisting in a standout performance alongside Giacomo Raspadori. Lukaku, who joined from Chelsea last summer, has netted 10 goals across all competitions this season.
“Romelu has had two excellent matches, just like the entire team,” Conte said. “But I expect even more from him, starting with tomorrow’s game. He needs to build on his recent performances and push himself further—just like the rest of the squad.”
Napoli will look to maintain their title chase, but with Venezia proving to be a thorn in the side of Italy’s elite, Conte’s men must be at their sharpest to secure another crucial three points.