Speaking on `1 Football Club`, a radio show hosted by Luca Cerchione on 1 Station Radio, Luigi Apolloni, a coach and former player for clubs including Verona and Parma, shared his insights. Here is an excerpt from the interview:
What kind of match do you anticipate between Parma and Napoli?
“It will be an important match, highly anticipated by both teams. Parma needs to avoid defeat to feel secure; I believe even a single point would be enough for them to ensure survival. I think the relegation battle is now primarily between Empoli, Lecce, and Venezia. Parma, after their exceptional win against Juventus, has significantly improved their situation. Napoli, on the other hand, needs to win to definitively validate Conte`s work, as he`s done well to keep the team united even during difficult periods. We`ve reached the decisive moment, and knowing Conte, he will do everything to secure the three points against Parma. I`m certain the entire squad will give their maximum because they are aware of the game`s importance. Of course, tensions can create problems, but the players, especially the experienced ones, know how to handle them.”
How much does the experience of the two coaches matter in such a delicate match?
“Experience counts a great deal, for many reasons. Someone who has lived through these situations themselves, like Conte, knows exactly how to prepare for and manage them. I speak especially as a coach: he has his finger on the emotional pulse of his team. However, Chivu has also proven to be an excellent coach, succeeding in getting the best out of a Parma side that seemed destined for trouble. It`s just a shame about the slip-ups against so-called smaller teams, like Empoli. That`s why Napoli needs to be very cautious, because Parma always puts in strong performances against the big clubs. In the first leg, Napoli won, but if Parma hadn`t made certain errors, they could have taken the victory.”
How do you assess Lukaku`s performance in his first year in the Napoli shirt?
“Lukaku is an extraordinary player, there`s no questioning that. Perhaps his performances haven`t always met expectations, also because he`s gone through complicated times. However, in important moments, he`s always been there. Just look at the first leg match against Parma. Conte trusts him greatly and considers him a reference point for the team. I don`t think he should be under scrutiny. Right now, the Napoli players must only think about the game, setting aside criticism and controversies, which only serve to create anxiety and distractions in a delicate match like Sunday`s – something that could make all the difference.”
At Napoli, talk continues about Conte`s future, to which he responds vaguely. What`s your opinion on this?
“Probably he doesn`t even know himself right now. Your job is to seek news, and a potential departure for Conte is certainly newsworthy. It`s understandable from a journalistic perspective. But inside the locker room, it can be disruptive. In these moments, the mind must be focused exclusively on the present, not on what will happen later. This is why certain questions can be annoying. Conte is used to managing pressure, but there are players who suffer under this kind of situation. And when such distractions are created, the risk is not being focused on the game, which is what truly matters now.”