Conte plays down Napoli’s title chances

MILAN: Antonio Conte has taken Napoli back to the top of Serie A for the first time since they won the title in 2023 but he says while the fans can dream of regaining the crown “I have to keep my feet on the ground.”

The next test of their title credentials comes on Friday as they host in-form Como, coached by former Spain and Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas.

Napoli, perhaps benefitting from not being engaged in European competition, after a disastrous defence of their crown resulted in them finishing 10th last season, go into the seventh round of matches a point clear of Juventus at the top.

However, it is a congested table with AC Milan, Inter Milan and previous tabletoppers Torino just two points off Napoli on 11. A further three clubs are on 10 points and Como, on the back of two successive victories, are a respectable 10th with eight points.

Inter Milan host Torino on Saturday, coming into the game fresh from a good win in the Champions League league phase -- and with Argentinian star Lautaro Martinez rediscovering his scoring form. Torino will want to get back to winning ways after two successive home defeats, in the cup against Empoli and then to Lazio in the league.

Juventus and AC Milan both have good opportunities to pick up three points to keep the pressure on Napoli. Juventus host lowly Cagliari on Sunday with AC Milan travelling to mid-table Fiorentina. Little wonder the no-nonsense Conte is not permitting himself to make any bold predictions with the season still young.

Indeed the 55-year-old, who has won the Serie A title four times as a coach -- guiding Juventus to three Scudettos and Inter Milan to one -- sees both sides of the coin regarding the southern side´s lack of involvement in European competition.

“There is an advantage and a disadvantage -- the advantage is that you can train the team all week, the disadvantage is that the squad is not as competitive as those that do play in Europe,” Conte told DAZN.