Conte’s Napoli complaint echoed Benitez demands in 2014

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 1:51 PM ET

Antonio Conte’s frustration with Napoli hierarchy on the state of the training pitches makes more sense when remembering Rafa Benitez had very similar complaints in 2014.

Conte vented his irritation in a press conference just minutes after finding out David Neres had sustained a soleus injury in training.

In that encounter with the media, plus a series of post-match interviews on Saturday, the coach reiterated he had asked Napoli to fix the training pitches at the Castel Volturno ground to no avail.

He blamed the state of these surfaces for the number of muscular problems, specifically the soleus muscle, which is in the calf area.

Training ground complaints have dogged Napoli for a decade

Napoli fans of a certain age were not at all surprised, seeing as Benitez made very similar complaints and demands when he was in charge back in 2014.

“What do Napoli lack to become a truly big club? Infrastructure, a training centre and youth academy can make the difference for those who want to stabilise themselves at the highest level,” said Benitez over a decade ago.

There were already plans in 2014 to revamp the Castel Volturno structure or build a new one, but they never went anywhere.

Owning their own infrastructure would also give some extra revenue to the club, which is why Fiorentina set up the Viola Park last year.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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