Conte plans early New Year party for Napoli
Napoli will hope to start its New Year celebrations well ahead of time when it hosts Venezia in Serie A on Monday (AEDT), but Antonio Conte does not expect it to be easy.
The 2023 Scudetto winner has recovered its fine form under Conte this season as sits second on the table on 38 points, two points adrift of leader Atalanta.
Napoli has lost two of its past three home games in Serie A, after winning each of its first five home league games this season.
However, Conte is positive regarding his side's hopes of ending 2024 on a high.
"We hope to close out 2024 with some more joy for the fans, for ourselves, to celebrate New Year's Eve in style," Conte said.
"These have been five very intense months, lived to the max. The environment is beautiful and passionate.
"Coaching in Naples really gives you a lot, but at the same time it is demanding in various aspects.
"I'm very happy, however, my goal and that of the lads, I always say, is to have no regrets in any situation and in any match.
"We must leave the pitch with the feeling of having given our all, without saying we could have done better."
The Partenopei have already equalled the number of home wins they recorded in the whole of last season with six, in which they went through three coaches and finished 10th.
Opponent Venezia is 19th with 13 points and currently enduring the longest run of away games without a victory in Serie A, drawing four and losing 12 of its past 16.
But Conte will not take it lightly, saying: "Everyone is thinking of an easy victory just because Venezia are second to last, but if we see the home games of Juve and Inter [against Venezia] we should at least be worried.
"Venezia have a good coach, they have their own concepts and, for us, these are three fundamental points to collect."
