Antonio Conte: "These matches are killing players and football"

Napoli head coach Antonio Conte spoke emotionally about the tight schedule after the Serie A 23rd round match against Fiorentina (2:1).

Idman.Biz reports that Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo was injured during the match and is the ninth injured Napoli player.

"We don't have much to say. From game to game, we constantly field players who need rest, but can't rest, and this leads to situations like this. I have received such injuries and I understand very well what it is. I keep saying that all these matches are killing the players and killing football.

Now there are squad limitations, and ours is even smaller because we have fewer players from the youth academy and the players we have want to go on loan to play more often. We brought Vergaran back, but there are age limitations and if we have to play 60 games a year we need a bigger squad, otherwise it's suicide.

Clubs don't understand that this is like a dog chasing its tail. You fight to participate in all these tournaments to earn more money, but it's fleeting because the more competitions you participate in, the more players you will have to buy, the more salary costs will increase. "If they don't understand this, football will go down the wrong path and lead to things like this. I'm not just talking about Napoli; I am generally speaking to protect players and it is unfortunate that everyone turns their backs on players, sympathizing with clubs, leagues, UEFA, etc. I say this as a former player," Football Italia quotes Conte as saying, citing DAZN.

In addition to Di Lorenzo, Napoli's injured squad includes Kevin De Bruyne, Amir Rahmani, Matteo Politano, Frank Angissa, Pasquale Massokki, Vanya Milinkovic-Savic, Billy Gilmour and David Neres.