Conte on verge of Napoli glory: ‘I am exhausted, most difficult season of my career’

PARMA, ITALY – MAY 18: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Parma and Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 18, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Antonio Conte admits he is ‘exhausted’ going into the final game, as Napoli have the Scudetto in their grasp. ‘It is certainly the most difficult season of my career.’

It was a rollercoaster for the Partenopei at the Stadio Tardini, largely due to the news filtering through from San Siro, where Inter and Lazio played out a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Napoli were unlucky too, as they hit the woodwork twice with Matteo Politano and Scott McTominay, then were awarded a penalty in stoppages for a challenge on David Neres, only for it to be revoked following the VAR review for the earlier Giovanni Simeone foul in the build-up.

Conte can taste Scudetto glory

“We are close to the Scudetto, but we still have to take that final step. It will be taken on our home turf, with the support of our fans,” Conte told DAZN.

“It is a very difficult campaign, we have achieved what we wanted to do, which was to trouble the leaders to the end. We have been at the top for a long time, despite a season full of difficulties, but we never complained, we kept going and we are right there to achieve something unthinkable and historic for Napoli.

“Winning at Napoli is certainly different to winning elsewhere, at clubs that are accustomed to collecting titles and trophies.”

Conte is famous for his 3-5-2 formation, but has changed repeatedly over the course of the campaign, using Napoli in a 4-3-3, a 4-4-2, a 3-4-2-1 and more.

“The problem is that everything is made to seem normal with us. We were missing Lobotka, Buongiorno, Juan Jesus, we are constantly losing players to injury, yet despite that we are up there fighting for the title,” noted the coach.

“I didn’t have many players available on the bench today, so these lads deserve credit for giving their heart and soul beyond their legs. I hope we can celebrate this Scudetto, as it would be wonderful.”

Toughest title of Conte’s career

He has won the Scudetto at Juventus and Inter, so this would be the third different Serie A club with the title.

“It is certainly the most difficult season of my career. We had to subtract players in the second half of the season, changing the system and other tactical situations. Spending a year out allowed me to try and study different situations,” continued Conte.

“I also had the opportunity to work for seven days a week, which I couldn’t have done if we played every three days. On the other hand, this was already a thin squad and we’re reaching the end down to the bare bones.

“We’ve got to keep going, because we’ve got the bit between our teeth now and we can taste it.”

Napoli have their destiny in their own hands, as a victory over a Cagliari side who are already safe would ensure the Scudetto, regardless of Inter’s result against Como. What would it mean to Conte?

“It would repay me for everything I have put into it this year. I gave everything, I went beyond my limits. I also know I am exhausted, I’m just about reaching the end of this season. Napoli is wonderful for the passion and enthusiasm, but it also brings with it demands and expectations that are often higher than the realistic capabilities.

“I feel great responsibility, I felt that from the start, and as the season went on, we started to realise we could stay up there to the very end.”

Conte was sent off and so was Simone Inzaghi, so both coaches will be sitting out touchline bans for the final round.

“It irritates me, because you work all year to have a decisive match. I trust the team and these lads, I above all trust the crowd at the Stadio Maradona. I was annoyed by Parma’s obstruction today, as I was used to English football, where there aren’t all these stops for cramp, injuries, pretending to be injured, so it irritated me and that’s why I was sent off.”