ANTONIO CONTE DEMANDS RUTHLESS FINISHING DESPITE NAPOLI’S CRUCIAL ONE ZERO CAGLIARI WIN
Antonio Conte celebrates Napoli's fourth straight win and a rare clean sheet following a 1-0 victory over Cagliari.
After the 1-0 win at Cagliari, Napoli’s manager, Antonio Conte, shared his thoughts with DAZN. He pointed out that getting key players back is important, though he said they must be fully fit. Anguissa and McTominay aren’t quite there yet, while Kevin De Bruyne looked good. Lobotka struggled a bit, and there’s hope that Rrahmani and Di Lorenzo can return to full fitness soon. Conte admitted that competing for the title won’t be easy, especially with players like Neres posing a challenge. He emphasised that Napoli has held steady over seven months, and now the focus shifts to securing Champions League qualification. They’re aware that other teams are chasing the same spot, but there’s no reason to stop pushing forward. Today’s result puts a bit of pressure on the teams ahead.
Regarding the midfield and attacking midfield, Conte said the team made too many mistakes and could have controlled the game better, especially since Cagliari weren’t pressing hard. They pushed for a second goal in the second half, and as always, anything can happen in these tight matches. The three points are valuable, but they remain cautious because it doesn’t take much to be overtaken.
On the importance of keeping a clean sheet, Conte highlighted that after 11 games without one, it was crucial not to concede. Cagliari didn’t manage a single shot on target, showing how well Napoli defended. He praised the commitment and understanding of the players, though he admits the team still struggles a bit with finishing their chances.
At the press conference, Conte expanded on the need for clinical finishing. He noted that going up 2-0 would have eased pressure, as a 1-0 lead is always fragile; a momentary lapse or scramble can let the opponent back in. Still, he expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress, especially given the challenges over the past seven months. With more players returning from injury, Conte has more options to change things up during matches, bringing in fresh energy and quality.
When asked about the double playmaker setup with McTominay and De Bruyne, Conte described it as an ongoing process rather than something new. The midfield lineup can vary, Lobotka alongside Anguissa or McTominay with Gilmour, for example, but the underlying idea remains consistent. He acknowledged that relying on two playmakers might reduce physicality at times, though it improves passing quality. Since November, they’ve stuck with this four-man midfield system because it suits their style and creates problems for opponents.
Conte also expressed satisfaction with the clean sheet, especially as this was their fourth consecutive win ahead of the international break. He recalled the frustration following a loss in Bologna and welcomed the chance to regroup over the next two weeks before facing Milan. Preventing shots on target was a key success today, but there’s still room to improve in finishing. Being more ruthless in front of the goal remains a priority.
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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