Conte Discusses Controversial VAR Decision and Napoli’s Impact on Hojlund
Antonio Conte, the head coach of SSC Napoli, recently shared his thoughts on the ongoing issues with VAR and its implications for the sport. Following a two-match ban, he expressed his frustrations regarding refereeing decisions that have left fans and coaches alike dissatisfied. On January 11, during a dramatic draw against Inter Milan, Conte was sent off after reacting furiously to a controversial penalty decision.
Conte’s Views on VAR Controversy
After the match, Conte stated, “Evidently something is not going right” with the VAR system and the officials. He emphasized the need to move past the incident and focus on upcoming fixtures. Napoli’s packed schedule calls for immediate attention, especially after a good performance against Inter Milan.
Upcoming Match and Napoli’s Performance
SSC Napoli has a crucial game scheduled for today, a rescheduled Serie A fixture, originally set for December. The match will start at 17:30 GMT at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Fans can look forward to more action as Napoli aims to maintain their momentum.
Rasmus Hojlund’s Development Under Conte
Conte also discussed the progress of Rasmus Hojlund, a young talent who joined Napoli in mid-August. The coach believes Hojlund has shown significant improvement since his transfer from Manchester United, where he was initially overshadowed as a replacement for injured star Romelu Lukaku.
- Hojlund is just 22 years old and possesses great potential.
- Conte highlighted the importance of effective coaching for young players.
- Improvement in teamwork and positioning has been critical in Hojlund’s development.
Injury Updates
In other news, David Neres, who has missed recent matches due to a sprained ankle, might return to the bench. His participation is uncertain as he only completed half a training session recently. Conte remains cautious, evaluating Neres’s readiness before potentially including him in the lineup.
With challenges ahead and critical games on the schedule, SSC Napoli hopes to leverage their recent successes while away from the touchline, keeping the focus on improving player performance and navigating the implications of VAR effectively.
