Key Takeaways:
- Antonio Conte attributed Napoli’s Champions League defeat to Benfica to fixture congestion and lack of squad rotation
- Conte pointed out Napoli’s reduced recovery period, noting Benfica had two extra days’ rest after playing on Friday
- Injuries to midfielders forced Scott McTominay and Eljif Elmas to operate in deeper, less familiar positions, raising concerns ahead of the January transfer window
Conte Laments Schedule and Recovery Disparity
Antonio Conte has raised concerns over Napoli’s congested fixture list following the team’s defeat to Benfica in the Champions League. Speaking after the match in Lisbon, Conte highlighted the strain imposed by playing matches at three-day intervals with minimal rotation, placing particular emphasis on the noticeable fatigue among his core players.
He observed that Napoli’s preparations were further compromised by a tighter turnaround compared to their Portuguese hosts. While Benfica played their previous match on Friday, Napoli were in action on Sunday evening and faced the additional demand of travel, leaving them with two fewer days for recovery.
🚨🗣️ Antonio Conte after Napoli's 2-0 loss against Benfica: "All these competitions worry me. I worry I don't have the energy to face them. Today we should have been at our best, and we arrived a little cooked." (@DiMarzio) pic.twitter.com/8Sg0MhB98J
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 10, 2025
Injury Woes Stretch Midfield Resources
Napoli are currently dealing with a spate of injuries in midfield, which has seen Scott McTominay and Eljif Elmas deployed in deeper roles that are not typically their strongest positions. This lack of viable alternatives in the squad, as noted by Conte, forced him to persist with the same starting line-up, further amplifying the physical and mental toll on his players.
Conte also acknowledged uncertainty over the return of Romelu Lukaku from injury, expressing hope that several sidelined players might recover swiftly to bolster the squad.
Statistical Overview and Transfer Implications
The accumulation of injuries and the unprecedented workload may prompt club management to consider reinforcing the squad in the January transfer window. With the midfield severely thinned, tactical flexibility has been limited, impacting both on-pitch performance and the club’s overall Champions League campaign.
