Napoli boss Antonio Conte insists he is the “most deserving team” to reach the Coppa Italia quarter-finals after an “endless” penalty shootout against Cagliari.
The Partenopei are finding it more difficult than expected to beat Cagliari and end their Coppa Italia spell, having struggled to reach the last 16 in recent years.
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 3: Cagliari’s Adam Obert fights for possession of the ball with Napoli’s Matteo Politano during the Coppa Italia Round of 16 match between Napoli and Cagliari at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 3, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
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They took the lead through Lorenzo Luca’s header but Scott McTominay’s diving shot set up Sebastiano Esposito’s equaliser.
Since there was no overtime before the Coppa Italia semi-finals, the game went directly to penalties, with the score 1-1, and even the penalty shootout went into sudden death after Mattia Felici’s shot error and Elia Caprile’s save from David Neres.
Specialist Vanja Milinkovic-Savic scored a goal but made just one of 10 saves, denying Zito Luwembo and allowing Alessandro Buongiono to score the winner.
Conte feels the tension at Napoli
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 3: Alessandro Buongiono and SSC Napoli teammates celebrate their penalty shootout victory during the Coppa Italia Round of 16 match against Cagliari at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on December 3, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
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Conte told a press conference: “This is an endless penalty shootout. We also needed a penalty shootout to beat Modena in the Coppa Italia last season.”
“It was much more difficult because all the players played good football and it was difficult for the goalkeeper. In the end, the most deserving team advanced.
“It’s a shame we conceded the goal due to McTominay’s unfortunate rebound, but I saw a good reaction from everyone. We know not many of us are available at the moment but we have to keep going and do the best we can.”
Conte has largely resisted squad rotations between Serie A and the Champions League so far this season, but the player was finally given some rare starting opportunities tonight, just days before the Serie A match against Juventus.
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Napoli head coach Antonio Conte gestures to his players during the Serie A match between Roma and Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico on November 30, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paul Bruno/Getty Images)
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“Sometimes you are forced to make certain decisions. We did that against Lazio as well, where we needed to see certain players from the start,” Conte added.
“We play every three days and the same people can’t do that all the time. I’m pleased with the response we’ve received and we know it’s going to be a struggle.
“Everyone feels a strong sense of responsibility and we’re all doing what we need to do. I’m happy about that.”
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 3: Lorenzo Luca of SSC Napoli scores his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia Round of 16 match between SCC Napoli and Cagliari Football Club at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on December 3, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
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Luka has scored disappointing goals in other recent games, including a red card against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
“He performs like any other player and he must continue to work hard to improve and become a good substitute,” Conte concluded.
Napoli will now face either Como or Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.
