Conte vows to 'bring the whip' as struggling Napoli meet title rivals Inter

MILAN (AP) — Antonio Conte is looking to whip his players into shape like a “tiger tamer” for Napoli’s Serie A match against his former team Inter Milan on Saturday.

Napoli is facing Inter at the worst possible moment for the defending champion, which is reeling from Tuesday’s 6-2 defeat at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League — the first time one of coach Conte’s teams has conceded six goals in a single match.

Conte appeared unusually calm on the sidelines during the game and was not his usual vociferous, strident self.

“I always try to help my players,” Conte said. “Certainly it was my fault that I was less aggressive on the bench and we lost 6-2. Next time I’ll bring the whip and a stool like a tiger tamer.”

It was Napoli’s second successive defeat — after last weekend’s loss at Torino in Serie A — as it struggles to cope with an injury crisis and incorporating new faces.

“We added nine players in the summer, that has cost us in terms of chemistry,” Conte said. “The old guys, including me, need to rediscover their spirit, the new guys need to learn to fit in and be humble and silent.”

Napoli welcomed back Scott McTominay against PSV while Rasmus Hojlund could make his return from injury against Inter. But Romelu Lukaku, Stanislav Lobotka and Amir Rrahmani are still sidelined.

Napoli, Inter and Roma are level on 15 points, one behind league leader AC Milan.

The Rossoneri could be four clear before the match kicks off in Naples as they host promoted Pisa on Friday. Roma visits Sassuolo on Sunday.