Napoli crushed as Conte sees size of challenge ahead
Napoli's Serie A season began in calamitous fashion as it was thrashed 3-0 by Verona, a result compounded by the loss of star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to injury.
Antonio Conte, overseeing his first Serie A game in charge of the 2023 Scudetto winner, was forced to withdraw Kvaratskhelia just before half-time after the Georgian collided with Pawel Dawidowicz.
Napoli's problems mounted after the break when Dailon Livramento got in front of their defence to slot home from close range and give the hosts the lead.
The nightmare continued for Napoli after 75 minutes as substitute Daniel Mosquera received a throughball and calmly slotted his finish past Alex Meret.
With Napoli throwing men forward late on, Verona added some gloss to the scoreline as Mosquera claimed his brace, tapping home a cutback from Darko Lazovic for his brace.
Conte felt the need to apologise to Napoli's supporters after the defeat.
"We immediately let Verona have a shot at the start of the second half, and in the second instance we went behind," he said Conte.
"Then we melted like snow in the sun. What I feel like saying is that we should apologise to the Neapolitan supporters, who follow us with such passion. I am the coach and it is right that I take full responsibility."
Conte acknowledged serious work would be needed to bring Napoli up to the standard he aimed for.
"[It was] a performance that shows we need to work hard in every aspect," the Italian added. "I came to Napoli with lots of enthusiasm, with great desire. If I can help Napoli, I will."
The 55-year-old coach is desperate to seek additional reinforcements before the transfer window closes.
"On the market, one, two, three, four could arrive, as many as the club want to sign," the former Chelsea manager continued. "The problems must be faced head-on, and they are not necessarily easy issues to fix."
That transfer frustration may centre around Victor Osimhen, who appears set to leave Naples, as the striker's exit continues to block Conte from adding to his squad.
"This is a question you should ask the club and not me," Conte said of Osimhen's future. "I see that Osimhen has trained separately. You should ask the club, absolutely not me.
"I said it straight away, I was a spectator on this matter. But beyond a single player, you definitely need to have a different attitude, with more personality, more desire."
