Antonio Conte’s much-anticipated Serie A debut as the new Napoli manager ended in disappointment on Sunday, as his side suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of Verona. This loss not only dampened the spirits of Napoli fans who had hoped for a fresh start under Conte’s leadership, but it also highlighted the significant challenges ahead for the 55-year-old coach. Meanwhile, last season’s overachievers, Bologna, were held to a 1-1 draw by Udinese, despite their energetic performance under their new manager, Vincenzo Italiano.
Conte’s arrival at Napoli was seen as a bold move, particularly given the club’s struggles last season, where they finished a disappointing 10th place as defending champions. Conte, known for his tactical acumen and intense approach, had labeled this season as “year zero” for Napoli, signaling a rebuilding phase for the club after a tumultuous campaign that saw them go through three different coaches. However, the opening match at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi exposed the work that still needs to be done.
In the first half, Napoli appeared to be the more dominant team, controlling possession and creating several scoring opportunities. Yet, their efforts were dealt a significant blow just before halftime when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, one of their most dangerous attacking players, was forced off the pitch due to an injury. The Georgian winger, who had been a constant threat to Verona’s defense, was injured following a challenge from Pawel Dawidowicz after narrowly missing a chance to break the deadlock.
With Kvaratskhelia sidelined, Napoli lost much of their attacking impetus, and Verona quickly capitalized on this shift in momentum. Just four minutes into the second half, Dailon Livramento opened the scoring for the home side, expertly guiding in a precise cross from Darko Lazovic. This goal seemed to shake Napoli’s confidence, and they struggled to regain their foothold in the match.
Napoli’s best opportunity to equalize came on the hour mark when Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa unleashed a powerful strike that crashed against the crossbar, narrowly missing the target. However, any hopes of a comeback were dashed 15 minutes later when Verona’s Daniel Mosquera, making his debut for the club, took advantage of chaos in Napoli’s midfield to burst through their defense and slot the ball past goalkeeper Alex Meret. Mosquera’s goal, and his subsequent tap-in during stoppage time after being left unmarked in the box, sealed a comprehensive victory for Verona and left Conte with much to ponder as he looks to revitalize Napoli.
Conte had cautioned against high expectations from fans, particularly as he awaits reinforcements in the transfer market and contends with the ongoing situation regarding star striker Victor Osimhen, who has been sidelined amid transfer speculation. Despite these challenges, the manner of Napoli’s defeat will undoubtedly be a cause for concern, as the team was unable to maintain their early dominance and capitulated in the face of Verona’s counter-attacks.
In another match on Sunday, Bologna began their season under new management, with Vincenzo Italiano taking the reins following Thiago Motta’s departure. Bologna, who were the surprise package of last season and earned a historic qualification for the modern Champions League, started brightly against Udinese and took the lead in the 57th minute through a penalty from Riccardo Orsolini. However, their lead was short-lived, as Argentine striker Lautaro Giannetti equalized for Udinese just 11 minutes later, heading home after Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski had saved a penalty from Florian Thauvin.
Despite the disappointing result, Bologna displayed the same attacking flair that endeared them to fans last season, and there is optimism that Italiano can build on the foundations laid by his predecessor. However, securing a victory in their opening fixture would have been a much-needed boost as they embark on their new campaign.
Later on Sunday, Serie A action continued with matches involving capital city rivals Roma and Lazio, who faced off against Cagliari and promoted side Venezia, respectively. As the season gets underway, all eyes will be on these teams to see how they perform in a league that promises to be as unpredictable and competitive as ever.
