Napoli manager Antonio Conte has blasted his club’s transfer decisions, calling them a “mistake” after a humiliating 6–2 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Scott McTominay scored twice for Napoli, but it wasn’t enough to stop a disastrous collapse in the Netherlands. The heavy loss came just days after Napoli’s 1–0 defeat to Torino, raising concerns about their form.
Conte, who guided Napoli to the Serie A title last season, said the club made too many changes over the summer by signing nine new players, including Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City and Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United.
“Last year, we won an incredible championship with unity and focus,” Conte said in a fiery post-match interview. “But this year, nine new players were too many. The team isn’t balanced. I warned that this season would be difficult. These things take time to adjust.”
The Italian coach also warned his players to stay humble and improve their attitude, saying some had become complacent after last season’s success.
“We need to humble ourselves. Some people are blowing smoke around here, but Napoli must always face the truth,” Conte said. “Both old and new players must raise their game. The good of the team comes before the good of anyone else.”
Conte added that the squad must rediscover the same unity and hunger that led them to the title last season. “If we want to make Napoli proud again, we have to get back to that spirit,” he said.
The defeat leaves Napoli’s Champions League hopes hanging in the balance, with fans and pundits already questioning whether Conte’s side can recover from the setback.
