´It was a message for ourselves´ – Conte hails Napoli character after hard-earned Roma win

Antonio Conte saluted Napoli for going “into war” and delivering “a message for ourselves” following their hard-earned win over title rivals Roma.

The reigning Serie A champions leapfrogged their opponents to move level on points with leaders AC Milan, after David Neres’ first-half strike sealed a 1-0 victory at Stadio Olimpico.

Napoli were forced to dig deep during the second half, enjoying just 28.3% of possession, but they limited the Giallorossi to just a single shot on target, with Vanja Milinkovic-Savic denying Tommaso Baldanzi late on.

The Partenopei are in the midst of an injury crisis with several key players absent, including Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

And Conte was delighted by the character shown by his side, given the circumstances.

“Coming to Stadio Olimpico and playing with the kind of authority we did, pushing forward constantly, that is not easy,” he told DAZN.

“Roma were coming off a run of positive results, they were ahead of us in the table, and are a very good team.

“I am pleased, as I saw a performance of character from the lads. We looked them in the eye from the start. I am very pleased.

“Having said all that, we cannot beat around the bush, we are in a very difficult period with so many players out of action, and that is going to keep going for a while.

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“It’s not that I am worried, but I do hope the players I have now stay healthy, otherwise we’ll have even more trouble.

“I am truly happy for the lads, because this is a moment when we need to put armour on and go into war.

“We have to make do, but we continue with this enthusiasm, united and overcoming every obstacle in our way. It was a message for ourselves, to know we can do it if we try.”

It was Napoli’s third straight win in all competitions since the international break, during which Conte took a few days off following a defeat to Bologna.

When it was jokingly suggested he should do so more often, given his team’s upturn in form, the 56-year-old insisted it is something he has done frequently throughout his career.

“It is not unusual during the break for international duty in England to have time off,” he explained. “They gave it to me without even asking at Chelsea and Tottenham.

“It was in full agreement with the club, seeing as there are four months when we play constantly. I have great staff, so like I did in England, I think I’ll always do that in the future.

“There’s pressure, preparing games every three days, it is a lot. Giving myself and my family, plus those who remain at the training ground, a bit of breathing room seems wise.”