Napoli blew a golden chance to secure Champions League progress, drawing 1-1 with 10-man Copenhagen and leaving Conte furious. For punters, this boosts value on Chelsea to beat Napoli next week or on Napoli draw-no-bet markets; consider under 2.5 goals if Napoli remain injury-hit and cautious. Backing Napoli outright looks risky given form and absences.
Napoli squander advantage as 10-man Copenhagen rescue draw
Napoli were held to a 1-1 draw by Copenhagen despite playing the final hour with a man advantage, a result that leaves Antonio Conte visibly furious and Napoli’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread. Scott McTominay’s towering header put Napoli ahead, but a penalty conceded by Alessandro Bastoni led to Jordan Larsson’s rebound finish and a point for the Danes.
Turning points: red card, header and penalty
Thomas Delaney was sent off after a VAR review for a high boot on Stanislav Lobotka, reducing Copenhagen to 10 men 35 minutes in. Napoli dominated large spells and created openings but failed to convert enough chances. The match swung again when Bastoni gave away a spot-kick; Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved the initial penalty but Larsson reacted fastest to level the scores.
Conte furious: blunt assessment of attitude and standards
Conte did not mince words after the draw, demanding accountability from his players and lamenting a performance that squandered a “golden opportunity.” He warned that Napoli’s current level “is not suited to this competition” and stressed the need to be “fired up and hungry from the first second to the last.” Conte highlighted a run of poor results and urged reflection ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures.
Champions League fate and domestic consequences
The draw leaves Napoli in a precarious position in their group; they will likely need a win against Chelsea to keep European hopes alive. Domestically, Serie A clashes loom large — notably a high-profile showdown with Juventus — meaning the club must manage both recovery and morale.
Injury crisis compounds problems
Napoli remain hampered by a lengthy injury list that has depleted Conte’s options. Missing players named in the squad issues include David Neres, Matteo Politano, Amir Rrahmani, Alex Meret, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour. Limited personnel depth helps explain fatigue and inconsistent performances late in games.
What Conte wants next
Conte insisted the team must “try to offer the best version of ourselves” and that there will be immediate focus on selection and preparation. He signalled a need to rediscover winning mentality and to be ruthless in converting control into results.
Tactical takeaways and betting implications
Napoli’s inability to close out a game even against 10 men exposes defensive fragility and lack of cutting edge under pressure. For bettors this suggests caution backing Napoli outright in the short term.
Markets to consider:
- Chelsea to beat Napoli or Napoli draw-no-bet for the next Champions League fixture.
- Under 2.5 goals if Napoli continue with a conservative, injury-hit approach.
- Avoid heavy stakes on Napoli to qualify until their form and availability improve.
Next fixtures to watch
Napoli’s immediate tests include the upcoming Champions League tie with Chelsea and a crucial Serie A meeting with Juventus — both matches that will shape their European destiny and title race hopes.
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Antonio Conte was furious with his Napoli squad after a costly Champions League draw to 10-man Copenhagen. ‘It hurts me and it ought to hurt my players. We must be angry with ourselves.’The Parten...
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