Conte slams transfer market timing after comeback Parma win

Antonio Conte was displeased with the transfer market deadline due to potential injury risks after their 2-1 win over Parma.

Debutant Romelu Lukaku and midfielder Andre Zambo Anguissa scored stoppage-time goals to earn the Italian his second victory as Napoli head coach, and provisionally move fourth in the standings.

However, he was concerned about not having squad depth while dealing with last-minute changes made to his team due to the transfer window closing on Friday, leaving him hoping his players can remain fit.

“We take these three points knowing full well that we have to work after this absurdity of the transfer market,” Conte told reporters.

“Coaches have to train players who are going to leave and wait for players we’ve never worked with and don’t know in what condition they’ll be when they arrive.

“We had zero midfielders on the bench today, as yesterday [Gennaro] Iaccarino and [Coli] Saco went on loan. We had to pray that nothing happened to [Stanislav] Lobotka and Anguissa.

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“I hope that things can change in the future, seeing as everyone is ready to change formats and rules.”

Conte added he was pleased with Napoli’s transfer window, as they added Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour to their ranks on Friday, despite the failure of Victor Osimhen’s move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.

“We did not just bring in players to build on an existing team but to fill certain empty slots, and I am happy with the work done by the club,” he said.

“If we had been able to sell Osimhen, it would’ve been an even better situation, but what happened cannot be changed, and we move on.”