Antonio Conte was quick to temper Napoli's Serie A title hopes after watching his side come from a goal down to beat Juventus 2-1 on Saturday. (More Football News)
Randal Kolo Muani's opening goal wa🐭s cancelled out by Frank Anguissa's header before Romelu Lukaku sealed the victory from the penalty spot in the 6𝔉9th minute.
Saturday's win moved Napoli six points clear at the summit of the standings, though second-placed Inter have two games in hand and𓆏 face Lecce on Sunday. ;
Napoli have now achieved at least 17 victories in the first 22 matches played in a single Serie A season for only the third time in their his✃tory, after 2017-18 when they finished second, and 2022-23, their last Scudetto triumph.
Conte's side have also won seven games in a row in Serie A for the first time since the period between January and Febr𝄹uary 2023 (eight under Luciano Spall𒊎etti).
Napoli now have 53 points, the same total that Spalletti's team had at this stage in th𒁏eir title winning season two years ago, but Conte urged his squad to stay grounded.
"We must never extinguish the enthusiasm because it’s our lifeblood. However, we must ༒stay grounded because what we've done so far is extraordinary," Conte said.
"We have already matched last year's points, and this is without (Victor) Osimhen, Kvara (♛Khvicha Kvaratskhelia), and Piotr (Zielinski)," he added, referring to three key players who have 🎶left the club this season, albeit with Osimhen on loan.
"It’s nice to see tha✅t, despite the difficulties with the (transfer) market and ⭕injuries, nothing changes.
"We need to stay humble and keep working. Today, though, w♔e beat a great team thꦐat had left us far behind last year."
Napoli have responded well to their poor defence of their Scudetto last season, having finished 10th🤡 with 53 points.
Cཧonte added that his side performed well above expectations against Juventus, who had not lost a game in Serie A this season un𓄧der Thiago Motta.
In fact, Napoli won a Serie A match against Juventus froඣm a losing position for the first time since 11 September 2021, also at home and also for a 2-1 victory.
&♑quot;The intensity today was like a European match, with very hꩲigh rhythms and full-field pressure," he said.
"We took some risks and yet some 💖still say we play with a low defensive line and on the counter-attack. Sometimes it feels like I’m dreaming."
Despite the good run Napoli are 🌄on, Conte is still holding his cards close to his chest regarding the transfer window.
Napoli have already strengthened with 🦩the permanent 💫signing of Luis Hasa, while also welcoming Simone Scuffet and Philip Billing on loan.
They have also registered their interest in Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho, but Conte sa♏id that his focus was performances on the pitch.
"It’s not just about bringing someone in ... Everyone is good at saying who is missiℱng, and I could easily say what we need too," Conte concluded.
"But my role as head of the group forces me to focus on the players I already h🐠ave and to make a difference with them.
"Let’s see what happens, but I remain calm because I know I have a gro꧅ꦫup of players ready to fight with me."
