Napoli's Conte Faces Tough Start with Heavy Loss to Verona

Napoli's new manager, Antonio Conte, experienced a challenging debut in Serie A, suffering a 3-0 defeat against Hellas Verona. Following the match, Conte expressed his disappointment, stating that his team failed to perform, particularly in the second half. "In the first half, there was only one team in it," he remarked, emphasizing that Verona had minimal chances until Napoli's defensive lapses allowed them to take control. Conte's frustration was palpable as he acknowledged the team's need for improvement. The defeat marked a rocky beginning for Conte, who became Napoli's fifth coach in just over a year. He took over the reins in June, following a successful tenure under Luciano Spalletti, who led the club to its first title in over three decades. Conte's immediate challenge is to revitalize a squad that has struggled since Spalletti's departure. He took full responsibility for the loss, stating, "We should be ashamed, and I have to be ashamed as I am coach." Despite having opportunities to score, including a shot that hit the crossbar, Napoli could not capitalize on their chances. Verona's decisive goals came from quick counterattacks, with substitute Mosquera scoring shortly after entering the match. The defeat leaves Napoli at the bottom of the Serie A table, raising questions about Conte's ability to turn the team's fortunes around this season. As the league progresses, Napoli will need to regroup quickly, with upcoming matches against strong opponents. The pressure is on Conte to instill a winning mentality and restore confidence within the squad.