Napoli star branded ‘silly’ for Antonio Conte comments after Champions League defeat | Football

Noa Lang revealed he barely speaks with Antonio Conte after Napoli’s defeat to PSV (Ziggo Sport)

Noa Lang has been criticised after claiming that he has barely spoken to Antonio Conte since his move to Napoli in the summertime.

Napoli signed Lang in a €28 million (£24m) deal from PSV in July however the 26-year-old is yet to start out a game for the Serie A champions.

Lang was brought on as a second-half substitute against his former club on Tuesday night but Napoli were hammered 6-2 by PSV in Eindhoven.

Speaking after Napoli’s second defeat of their Champions League campaign this season, Lang suggested he is way from completely satisfied along with his current situation.

‘I actually have to just accept it because it is without delay. I actually have no other option,’ Lang said.

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Asked if he had spoken to Conte about his lack of minutes, Lang replied: ‘No, not that much. I spoke to him once. But we’re talking concerning the match now. I feel that’s more relevant than that.’

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kevin Senders/MTB-Photo/Shutterstock (15559420de) Antonio Conte of SCC Napoli during the press conference following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between PSV Eindhoven and SSC Napoli at PSV Stadion on October 21, 2025 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. PSV Eindhoven v SSC Napoli, UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3, Football, PSV Stadion, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands - 21 Oct 2025
Antonio Conte has urged Noa Lang to ‘work hard’ (Shutterstock)

Conte dismissed Lang’s claim when asked in a separate interview after Napoli’s Champions League loss.

‘We’ve to speak concerning the team, not about individual players,’ Conte said.

‘Noa could be dangerous for us this season but he has to work hard. Otherwise, I’ll play different players and he’ll be on the bench.’

Mandatory Credit: Photo by images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (15565472gc) SSC Napoli forward Noa Lang plays during the match between PSV Eindhoven and SSC Napoli at the Philips Stadium for the Champions League - League phase - Matchday 3 of the 2025-2026 season in Eindhoven, Netherlands, on October 21, 2025. PSV Eindhoven v SSC Napoli - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3, Netherlands - 21 Oct 2025
Noa Lang is yet to start out for Napoli this season (Shutterstock)

Meanwhile, Ziggo Sport pundit Theo Janssen branded Lang ‘silly’ for the timing of his comments towards Conte and believes the winger could already be on borrowed time at Napoli.

‘I’m shocked when Lang says he’s only spoken to the coach once,’ Jansen said.

‘It’s very strange for a man who’s latest to the club and still has to get used to the country and the tactics. Whenever you sign a player, it seems logical to me that you simply sit down with him and tell him what you expect from him.

‘In case you hearken to this and also you take a look at Noa Lang’s behaviour and attitude, the coach isn’t enthusiastic about him in any respect and he [Conte] doesn’t care in any respect.

‘You furthermore may wonder if Lang was brought in by the manager or the club. We still need a creative player, and we’re bringing Lang in. Conte is a really serious manager; you don’t get excited while you see him. And Noa Lang is a little bit of a rebel, he does every thing slightly in a different way. He demands attention although it’s not at all times mandatory, and his interviews aren’t at all times very helpful.

‘So I don’t see that match between Napoli and Lang happening, in no way. I doubt he’ll make it to the top of the season. Just seeing and feeling it. But tactically, what Lang is doing now could be incredibly silly.’

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