Napoli's coach unexpectedly criticized his own team for signing De Bruyne and Hojlund

22/10/2025 19:14:00 esportapi

After the devastating 2-6 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, coach Antonio Conte openly criticized Napoli's transfer policy, stating that recruiting many big-name stars last summer was "a mistake" that caused the team to lose its balance and identity.

Conte did not hide his disappointment at the post-match press conference: "Last year, we won Serie A thanks to the unity and fighting spirit of the whole team. But this year, we have changed too much. Nine new signings are too many for a previously stable squad. I said from the beginning of the season that this year would be very difficult, and that is proving true."

In the summer of 2025, Napoli grabbed attention by signing several high-profile players, including Kevin De Bruyne from Man City and Rasmus Hojlund from Man United. Overall, the southern Italian club brought in nine new players, hoping to boost their strength to defend the championship. However, reality has shown the opposite: these stars have not yet integrated, while the old squad has lost the fighting spirit that helped them win last season.

The loss to PSV was a serious warning sign. While Scott McTominay scored both goals for Napoli, expected stars like De Bruyne were almost invisible on the field. Corriere dello Sport gave the Belgian midfielder a rating of 4.5/10, noting he "touched the ball little, lacked influence, and disappeared when the team needed him most." Meanwhile, Hojlund missed the match due to a muscle injury, which made Conte even more frustrated about the disrupted squad.

Conte is unhappy with Napoli signing too many stars during the last summer.

"We need to be humble again," Conte said frankly. "Some people at Napoli are living in illusions. Both new and old players must understand that the club’s interests come first. Last season, everyone fought for this jersey, but now I see more egos than Napoli spirit."

Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo also acknowledged after the match that the squad is "more unbalanced and weaker than ever." He said, "It was a terrible night. We have to stop and think seriously. Last season, Napoli was a fearless team. Now we are fragile and have lost defensive discipline. That is unacceptable."

Despite the heavy pressure, Conte insists he will not change the tactical system. He believes Napoli’s problems lie in mentality and cohesion, not in the tactical setup. "A good coach is not someone who changes everything after a loss, but one who knows how to regain balance. We already have the right structure; the players just need to understand that winning comes from the team, not individual fame."

The heavy defeat in Eindhoven has further complicated the situation at Napoli, especially as 180 of their fans were arrested and expelled from the Netherlands for causing trouble before the match. Meanwhile, Italian media widely believe Conte is facing his first crisis as Napoli’s coach, only months after leading the team to the Serie A title.

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