Napoli To Puncak Gusur Juventus, Antonio Conte: The Team Is Beneficial

JAKARTA - The shift at the top of the Italian Serie A standings has occurred again. Napoli succeeded in displacing Juventus from the top position after winning 2-0 over Monza in the match at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, Monday, September 30, 2024 in the morning WIB. Napoli coach Antonio Conte said his team did benefit.

The total change of power in the Italian League when entering the sixth week. Last week, Torino was still comfortable perched on the throne of the standings. But things changed when Juventus successfully destroyed Genoa 3-0. The success of Juve was followed by AC Milan and Inter Milan who defeated their opponents.

As a result, Juve, who got 12 points, immediately shifted Torino and took the top spot. Torino actually had the chance to reclaim his position if he won over Lazio. But II Toro, who played at home, lost 3-2 so that he failed to overthrow the city's rivals.

Not only that, the big goal difference due to the defeat made Torino displaced by the Milan duo. Even Torino was getting worse and knocked out of the top four after Napoli picked up three important points by beating Monza.

The victory made Napoi earn 13 points. They went straight to the top of the standings by shifting Juve.

On the other hand, Monza is increasingly sinking in the relegation zone. Monza, who is ranked 19th, only has three points. Together with Venezia and Cagliari, they are stuck in the red zone.

Despite successfully occupying the top of the standings for the first time this season, coach Antonio Conte stated that the team still had to work hard to make improvements. However, the former Juve and Inter coach admitted that Napoli benefited more from Juve, Milan and Inter.

"There are advantages but also losses when we don't play in Europe. Fortunately, the team can undergo full training in one week. The loss of the squad is indeed less competitive than other teams competing in European competitions," Conte said.

Yes, Napoli missed the European competition after finishing in 10th place last season. Napoli themselves won the 2023 Italian League so they had to appear in the Champions League. Now, I Partenopei is absent from the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League for Europe's third caste.

"Because of the absence of [at European competitions] we can continue to work hard to make dreams come true. We have to work hard in every game as shown in this match. We have to continue to grow," he said again.

In that match, Napoli had to work hard to face Monza's decisive game. The visitors' disciplined and compact defense made Napoli difficult.

Luckily, Napoli finally found a gap when winger Matteo Politano broke into the opponent's goal in the 22nd minute. The score changed to 1-0 for the hosts.

The goal made Napoli even more excited to put pressure on it. Not long after or 33 minutes, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia solidified Napoli's lead to 2-0. The score lasted until the end of the first half.

Entering the second half, Napoli played more relaxed. However, they still control the game and create a number of opportunities.

Striker Romelu Lukaku had a chance to add goals for Napoli. However, Lukaku's shot could still be blocked. Likewise, midfielder Scott McTominay's header which welcomed a corner has not paid off.

Napoli had another chance through Giacomo Raspadori and David Neres. But they couldn't convert every chance into a goal so the score 2-0 didn't change until the end of the match.