Conte planning early New Year´s party for Napoli against Venezia

Napoli will hope to start their New Year celebrations well ahead of time when they host Venezia in Serie A on Sunday, but Antonio Conte does not expect it to be easy.

The 2023 Scudetto winners have recovered their fine form under Conte this season as they sit second in the table on 38 points, two points adrift of leaders Atalanta.

Napoli have lost two of their last three home games in Serie A (one win), after winning each of their first five home league games this season.

However, Conte is positive regarding their 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 at a press conference on Saturday.

“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 (six), in which they went through three coaches and finished 10th.

Opponents Venezia are 19th with 13 points and are currently enduring the longest run of away games without a victory in Serie A, drawing four and losing 12 of their last 16.

Conte, though, will not take them 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.”

Napoli will also hope that Atalanta, who have been on an 11-game winning streak, stumble at fourth-placed Lazio on Friday, allowing them to reclaim top spot.