Antonio Conte says Napoli ‘not yet ready’ to rule Italian football

Napoli end a memorable year at Cremonese on Sunday with head coach Antonio Conte insisting his double winners are not ready to dominate Italian football yet.

Conte’s side added the Italian Super Cup to last season’s Serie A title by beating Bologna 2-0 in Riyadh on Monday.

As well as collecting more silverware, it was a big boost for third-placed Napoli who are two points behind Inter Milan at the Serie A summit.

Asked if their success in Saudi Arabia meant they now ruled Italian football, Conte said: “Absolutely not, I’d be lying to say so.

“Last year we won the league with a very small squad, this year we’ve brought in a lot of players. But we’re not yet ready to lead.

“We’re not ready, we’re not even close. This season, the fight for the top four will be tough.

“We’ll have to be humble and work hard to get some satisfaction.”

Napoli must improve their away form after suffering respective Champions League and Serie A defeats to Benfica and Udinese.

Sam Beukema (foot) and Mathias Olivera (shoulder) picked up knocks in Saudi Arabia and are doubtful for the trip to Lombardy.

Romelu Lukaku was an unused substitute in both Supercoppa matches after suffering a serious thigh injury in pre-season and the Belgium striker could play a part for the first time this term.

Mid-table Cremonese have not scored in their last two outings after losing 1-0 at Torino and holding Lazio to a goalless draw.

Strike pair Federico Bonazzoli (five) and Jamie Vardy (four) have scored exactly half of Cremonese’s 18 league goals from 16 games.

Cremonese have not beaten Napoli since September 1994 when Matjaz Florjancic’s double secured a 2-0 victory.

“An opponent of this calibre is the best test we could have had right now,” said Cremonese head coach Davide Nicole.

“We know we’re facing a great team with great players accustomed to this pace. They’re capable of many things and they do them all well.

“Of course, we have to hope that they are not at their best, but anything can happen in a single match.

“We’ll have to be ready to do everything right, but certain matches galvanise us.”

Cremonese welcome Martin Payero back from suspension, but Federico Ceccherini serves a one-match ban after being sent off late on at Lazio.

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