Two days before the match Antonio Conte she had said that the others had bicycles and that now the others (intended as coaches) have to pedal. Starting right from this Pasquale Salvionein the aftermath of the Azzurri’s success against Como and their move to the top of the table, expresses himself thus in his fund for the Corriere dello Sport: “Conte pedals hard, as he always has. His bicycle goes faster than everyone else. Naples celebrates, gets excited, dreams. Fifty thousand applauded Maradona’s fourth victory, the fifth in the championship, the one that gives the Azzurri more two weeks at the top of the class. For now the external pressure is only tickling, indeed it risks fueling the spirit of a group that seems to become more united with each match when, like yesterday, it finds itself facing a strong, carefree opponent and rich in talent like Como, Fabregas deserves only applause, at the moment his team is playing perhaps the best football in the championship. Nico Paz is in another category, his quality can make the difference even in top-level clubs.
But facing Napoli now is not easy for anyone. Because it is a mix of strength, character, organization and class. All ingredients that Conte is mixing to perfection. Then there are the individual qualities that make the difference. The standing ovation that the stadium gave to Lobotka is the snapshot of a monstrous performance, the recognition of a midfielder who was among the protagonists of the championship and who has now returned to play at exceptional levels. The spirit of the team can also be felt from Politano’s sacrifice, an entire game at full strength, chasing the opponent and coming forward again. Without ever stopping, until he left the field exhausted.”