Antonio Conte claims Atalanta 'stronger' than Serie A leaders Napoli ...

Antonio Conte admitted that Atalanta are a “stronger” team than Napoli, with the league leaders humbled at home by the UEFA Europa League holders.

Ademola Lookman’s first-half double put the visitors in control before Serie A’s leading goalscorer Mateo Retegui made it three in second-half stoppage time.

The defeat, Napoli’s second of the season, brings Atalanta to within three points of Conte’s men at the top of the table.

But despite the incredible transformation at a club that finished 41 points behind champions Inter Milan last season, Conte said that his side should aim to reach Atalanta’s level.

“We’ve done incredibly well so far this season, we faced a team that in my view is stronger than we are right now,” Conte told DAZN.

“I had said that in the press conference beforehand not to shield myself, but because this is an Atalanta side that has been a regular in the Champions League, that last season won the Europa League beating Bayer Leverkusen and they have a squad depth that ought to frighten everyone.

“We need to take this type of match, evaluate and learn as part of the process. Let us not forget, Atalanta got into the Champions League last season and we finished 10th.

“They have an old coach, by which I mean someone who has been working with that club for a long time, not that he’s old!

“It is no shame to lose to Atalanta, if anything they are a reference point for us to look up to and work towards.”

As for his own team’s performance, Conte was not displeased by the display, with Napoli having 13 shots to their opponents’ 12 and enjoying 50% possession.

“I have to be very honest, I thought it was the right performance from the team,” said Conte. “There are certainly some situations on the goals that made the difference, where we can do better, but I cannot fault the team for their hunger and attitude.

“We saw the statistics; they were very balanced overall. We pressed high and that used up a lot of energy, so I couldn’t have asked for much more.”

Gian Piero Gasperini also refused to draw too many conclusions from their impressive away victory.

The 66-year-old called his opposition “extraordinary” and was under no illusions that Napoli would continue to challenge for the Scudetto.

It was only the third time this season that Napoli failed to take maximum points after a galling 3-0 defeat to Hellas Verona on matchday one and a goalless draw with Juventus a month later.

But Gasperini did admit that it took a “remarkable performance” to end Napoli’s 10-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.

“We know that we are strong, we’re not denying it. Clearly, these games are a test of where we are, facing a strong team that has done extraordinary things since the start of the season,” Gasperini told DAZN.

“We knew that we would require a remarkable performance, we did that, but the team has also grown since last year with the extra confidence that has been earned with the win in Europe.

“Antonio [Conte] is quite right to calm enthusiasm, but Napoli are an excellent team and the club deserves credit for revamping the squad.

“Antonio will continue to do extraordinary things. One match doesn’t change that, and they will challenge to the end.”

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