European Cups

Inter Milan is the top Italian representative in the Champions League

Published

1 month ago

09/17/2025

Staff

Napoli coach Antonio Conte spoke on the eve of the season debut in the Champions League against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

We are getting closer to the debut of Napoli under Conte in the Champions League. And what a debut! The first opponent will be Manchester City managed by Pep Guardiola. Less than 24 hours before the match at the Etihad Stadium, the Neapolitan coach held a press conference to preview the tough match.

SMILING ANTONIO CONTE (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)

Napoli, Conte’s words

“Returning to England is always a pleasure, experiences like those with Chelsea and Tottenham stay with you, the level there is very high. Coaching in England was a beautiful experience from all points of view. Returning to Manchester in the most important European competition is a source of pride and satisfaction, returning there with Napoli after winning the Scudetto. We are going to face a team that has been an absolute protagonist in recent years, so we are talking about a top club with a truly top coach. We approach it with great humility, with the Scudetto on our shirt, the result of an extraordinary season.

Now we want to compete in Europe in a very humble way. We consider ourselves students coming to face masters. And I don’t think that’s unfair. We are eager to understand, to compare ourselves with these very important, very strong realities. To understand how this process we started last year is going.”

What kind of game will it be? What approach will there be? And what do you feel about this Champions League?

“The Champions League, if we take last year as an example, shows a bit of the difficulty. Last year, after eight games, Manchester City and Real Madrid had to go to a playoff. This shows the level of difficulty, which is high. No one can underestimate anyone. This new format of the Champions League has transmitted this to the big European teams, especially to those who historically compete to win. We approach it with great joy, with great enthusiasm”.

Players coming from the Premier League to Napoli?

“Regardless of whether they come from the Premier League or other leagues, the important thing is that they are players who can help. Hojlund arrived with great enthusiasm and desire: he has not been lucky at United in these two years but he is a 22-year-old with a career ahead of him. He has shown potential and foundations that I will have to work with. Like with Lucca and Ambrosino. To improve them and make them even better. I know very well that Napoli’s growth depends on the growth of each individual player”.

Napoli defending by attacking?

“Since last year, we have started a process with the boys, at the beginning of the season we started with some certainties. At least personally, I tried to give stability to a team that had conceded many goals. We started in one way and then we changed. We are moving forward with a project that includes what you are seeing. We started last year and we are continuing to work. To continue this process, we must continue on the path we are on. Changing the team’s nature is not for me”.

How is Meret doing?

“After the issue in Florence, where there was still a risk of causing damage, a bit like what happened to Neres before the break, there are situations where it is better not to risk because you might lose him for a month, a month and a half. Meret has recovered, trained with us today, and is available”.

McTominay?

“I already knew him, I faced him in England twice. I know the great potential of this player like McTominay and I wondered why he didn’t dominate in England given his great possibilities. There was the opportunity to bring him to Napoli, honestly, my first thought was: ‘I can’t believe it! Can it really happen, and it did. He is having fun with us, for someone like him, who grew up at United, maybe you need a change after so many years and try a different experience. It happened with us and we are super happy to have him, he is a fantastic player and a great man”.

On Hojlund

“Regarding Rasmus, I knew the player because he played at Atalanta. Then United. He has great potential, he is only 22 years old and has a great career ahead of him. I think when I talk to him, I feel that he is very happy to have this new experience. He told me: ‘Yes, I am ready, I want to play for you, for Napoli’. Now my goal is to improve him and make him grow to become a great striker”.

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Related Topics:Champions Inter Italian League Milan representative top

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European Cups

Inter, possible Champions League turnover: Chivu doses the energies

Published

3 hours ago

10/21/2025

Staff

Inter coach Christian Chivu speaks at a press conference on the eve of the Champions League match against Union Saint Gilloise.

Inter is aiming for a third consecutive victory in the Champions League. On the European path of the Nerazzurri, there is Union Saint Gilloise, the Belgian champions. Chivu’s team will take the field tomorrow at 9 pm at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels. On the eve of the match, Inter coach Christian Chivu presents the Champions League challenge. Here are his words.

Inter, Chivu’s words on Sky Sport

How will you manage the team in consideration of Napoli?

“Since I arrived, I have been asking the players for responsibility and passion. We need to honor this competition, at the moment we are only focused on tomorrow’s match.”

Opponent.

“A team with its own identity, last year they won the championship. They are still at the top of the league, having beaten PSV in the Champions League. They are a very physical and aggressive team, so we need to be very good at avoiding their pressure.”

Has the team’s mentality returned?

“I have tried to do my job. It’s just a matter of perception, driven by results. When you win, everything is easier and you are praised. I have been living in this world for many years, I know how it works in Italy, and it takes very little to start saying certain things again. I am happy with what the boys are giving me, they have the ambition to stay at the levels reached in recent years.”

Thuram.

MARCUS THURAM A TERRA RAMMARICATO ( FOTO DI SALVATORE FORNELLI )

“It’s a shame, he is an important player and was in great shape and confidence. I believe he will rejoin the group next week, I don’t know if it will be against Fiorentina or Hellas Verona.”

Chivu in press conference

Do you want to repeat last year’s journey?

“We have an obligation to think big. We have a supporting society and we must be our best version to be present in all competitions by spring.”

What needs to be avoided now?

“We need to maintain enthusiasm and try to avoid missteps. We have delivered good performances and we have the ambition to move forward following the same path of the past few weeks.”

How are Lautaro and Thuram?

“Lautaro is fine and has not had the problems he had before Roma. He has also recovered from his cold and has made good progress. Marcus needs a few extra days, he won’t be available for Napoli.”

What do you expect from Union St Gilloise?

“The team is very aggressive and wants to press high, I don’t know if they will change against us but I don’t think they will alter their identity. They have already earned three points in the Champions League and are at the top of the league. The incident with Newcastle is something that can happen to anyone, they are a strong and very aggressive team.”

Are you also thinking about the Napoli match?

“We think game by game and the Champions League should not be underestimated. We know what it means to play in the Champions League and we must honor our history. In the last three years, these boys have reached two finals, which is no small feat. There are teams that don’t make it in 30 years, let alone two in three years. We approach this match with the utmost responsibility and attention.”

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European Cups

Probable lineups and where to watch it – Soccer style

Published

7 hours ago

10/20/2025

Staff

Inter coach Christian Chivu speaks at a press conference on the eve of the Champions League match against Union Saint Gilloise.

Inter is looking for their third consecutive victory in the Champions League. On the European journey of the Nerazzurri is Union Saint Gilloise, the Belgian champions. Chivu’s team will take the field tomorrow at 9 PM at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels. On the eve of the match, Inter coach Christian Chivu presents the Champions League match. Below are his words.

Inter, Chivu’s words on Sky Sport

How will you manage the team also with Napoli in mind?

“Since I arrived, I have been asking for responsibility and passion from the boys. We need to honor this competition, at this moment we are only thinking about tomorrow’s match.”

Opponent.

“A team that has its own identity, last year they won the championship. They are still at the top of the league, they beat PSV in the Champions League. They are a very physical and aggressive team, we will have to be very good at avoiding their pressure.”

Has the group mentality been regained?

“I have tried to do my job. It’s just a matter of perception, given by the results. When you win, everything is easier, and you get praised. I have been in this world for many years, I know how it works in Italy, and it takes little to start saying certain things again. I am happy with what the boys are giving me, they have the ambition to stay at the levels reached in recent years.”

Thuram.

MARCUS THURAM A TERRA RAMMARICATO (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)

“It’s a shame, he is an important player and was in great shape, and in confidence. I believe he will rejoin the group next week, I’m not sure if it will be against Fiorentina or Hellas Verona.”

Chivu in the press conference

Do you want to repeat last year’s path?

“We have an obligation to think big. We have a club that supports us and we must be the best version of ourselves to be present in all competitions by spring.”

What needs to be avoided now?

“We need to maintain enthusiasm and try to avoid missteps. We have had good performances and we have the ambition to continue following the same path as in recent weeks.”

How are Lautaro and Thuram?

“Lautaro is fine and has not had the same issues he had before Roma. He has also recovered from a cold and has made a good recovery. Marcus needs a few more days, he won’t be available for Napoli.”

What do you expect from Union St Gilloise?

“The team is very aggressive and wants to press high, I don’t know if they will change against us but I don’t think they will change their identity. They have already taken three points in the Champions League and are top of the league. The incident with Newcastle is something that can happen to anyone, they are a strong and very aggressive team.”

Are you also thinking about the Napoli match?

“We think game by game and the Champions League is not to be underestimated. We know what it means to play in the Champions League and we must honor our history. In the last three years, these boys have reached two finals and that is not easy, there are teams that can’t make it in 30 years, let alone two in three years. We treat this match with the utmost responsibility and attention.”

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European Cups

Probable line-ups and where to watch it – Football style

Published

11 hours ago

10/20/2025

Staff

Inter coach Christian Chivu speaks at a press conference on the eve of the Champions League match against Union Saint Gilloise.

Inter is looking for their third consecutive victory in the Champions League. On the European path of the Nerazzurri is Union Saint Gilloise, the Belgian champions. Chivu’s team will take the field tomorrow at 9 pm at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels. On the eve of the match, Inter coach Christian Chivu presents the Champions League challenge. Here are his words.

Inter, Chivu’s words on Sky Sport

How will you manage the team in view of Napoli?

“Since I arrived, I have been asking for responsibility and passion from the players. We need to honor this competition, at the moment we are only thinking about tomorrow’s match.”

Opponent.

“A team with its own identity, last year they won the championship. They are still at the top of the league, they beat PSV in the Champions League. They are a very physical and aggressive team, we will need to be very good at avoiding their pressures.”

Has the team’s mentality been restored?

“I have tried to do my job. It’s just a matter of perception, based on results. When you win, everything is easier, and you are praised. I have been in this world for many years, I know how it works in Italy, and it takes little to start saying certain things again. I am happy with what the players are giving me, they have the ambition to stay at the levels reached in recent years.”

Thuram.

MARCUS THURAM A TERRA RAMMARICATO ( PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI )

“It’s a shame, he is an important player and was in good shape and confidence. I believe he will return to the group next week, I don’t know if against Fiorentina or Hellas Verona.”

Chivu in the press conference

Do you want to repeat last year’s journey?

“We have an obligation to think big. We have a club that supports us and we must be the best version of ourselves to be present in all competitions by spring.”

What should be avoided now?

“We must maintain enthusiasm and try to avoid missteps. We have performed well and we have the ambition to move forward following the same line as in recent weeks.”

How are Lautaro and Thuram?

“Lautaro is fine and has not had the problems he had before Roma. He has also cleared the cold and has made a good recovery. Marcus needs a few more days, he won’t be there in Naples.”

What do you expect from Union St Gilloise?

“The team is very aggressive and wants to press high, I don’t know if they will change with us but I don’t think they will change their identity. They have already taken three points in the Champions League and are at the top of the league. The incident against Newcastle is something that can happen to anyone, they are a strong and very aggressive team.”

Are you also thinking about the match with Napoli?

“We think game by game and the Champions League should not be underestimated. We know what it means to play in the Champions League and we must honor our history. In the last three years, these guys have reached two finals and that’s not something small, there are teams that can’t do it in 30 years, let alone two in three years. We treat this match with the utmost responsibility and attention.”

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