Conte defends changes as Lazio looms again
Napoli head coach Antonio Conte has justified his decision to make 11 changes to the starting line-up for the 3-1 defeat away to Lazio in the Coppa Italia Round of 16 as he prepares to face it again in Serie A.
The 55-year-old suggested that the tournament gave him the opportunity to avoid injuries to players and make assessments on others as he rested everyone that started last weekend's 1-0 win at Torino.
The result of Conte's selection was a 3-1 defeat at Stadio Olimpico, with Tijjani Noslin scoring a hat-trick to knock his side out of the competition.
"We made a very well-considered choice, we have a long season ahead of us. We can't make the sign of the cross and hope that no one gets injured," Conte said.
"These are matches where we wanted to make assessments. After this match you will make your assessments, I will make mine, and the club will make its assessments. Evaluations are subjective and mine are the most important."
Serie A leader Napoli faces Lazio again on Monday (AEDT) in the league, this time at home, and is four points ahead of its fifth-placed visitors.
"It will definitely be a different game, we'll be playing at home and in a different competition," Conte said.
"Lazio is definitely a very good team and also equipped to play in the [UEFA] Europa League. They have a valuable squad as demonstrated again today. We will try to play our game."
