‘Heart transplants aren’t possible’: Under-fire Antonio Conte hits out at his Napoli players for their lack of character – but reserves praise for Man United loanee Rasmus Hojlund

Napoli head coach Antonio Conte hit out at his players for showing a lack of desire in the team’s 2-0 defeat at Bologna on Sunday evening.

The defending Serie A champions relinquished their spot at the top of the league as they were well beaten at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, with goals from Thijs Dallinga and John Lucumi doing the damage in the second half.

It was Napoli’s fifth defeat in all competitions this season and the third game in a row that they have failed to find the back of the net.

After the full-time whistle, Conte did not hold back when criticising the performance of his players.  

‘If you lose five games, it means that something is not going right,’ he started. Something needs to be done, because I don’t want to accompany a dead person, I am the first eventually and take responsibility. 

‘I don’t see alchemy but everyone thinking about their own problem. Heart transplants aren’t possible. Each of us must rediscover the spirit, the heart, the wickedness. Things are done but we have to see how they are done. 

Antonio Conte questioned the desire of his Napoli players after they were beaten by Bologna 

The defending Serie A champions lost 2-0 at at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara and only managed four shots

‘It’s one thing to do your homework, it’s another to play in a team with very high expectations. Everyone is thinking about their own backyard, I had already seen this and so I want to speak well with the club. 

‘We must not forget that after the third Scudetto, Napoli finished tenth but I don’t think this was a great lesson. Sometimes we think that overnight the ugly duckling then becomes a swan. 

‘Last year we did something extraordinary and of absolute value, now we are continuing to work but we have to ask ourselves how, if there is the right enthusiasm and desire or we are basking in the victory of the past and we think we are favorites. 

‘We certainly don’t have the energy of last season, the boys know very well what I think about it. I’m sorry that I’m not managing to change this trend in the four months that have passed, because it means that I’m not doing a good job or someone doesn’t want to hear it.’ 

With Napoli faltering in front of goal, striker Rasmus Hojlund, who is on loan from Manchester United, has come in for a lot of criticism. 

The 22-year-old has failed to score since the beginning of October, and his performance against Bologna left little to be desired. He failed to register a shot on target during the 90 minutes, while also picking up a yellow card.

However, despite  Hojlund putting in what could be perceived as a poor display, Conte singled the striker out as the only positive of the evening. 

‘Maybe he was the best on the pitch for me,’ Conte continued. ‘He held his own, he attacked the depth. Lucumì struggled to keep him. Then if we close the performance on whether or not to score goals then the situation is different. 

Rasmus Hojlund failed to register a shot on target during the match as his goal drought continued

‘We had prepared some things, we should have supported him more. Rasmus managed several balls, we were missing. His game for me was good.’ 

Napoli have now slipped down into fourth in Serie A following the defeat, with Bologna breathing down their necks behind them. 

Conte also cited that the home side simply had more energy than his team, which is cause for concern.

He added: ‘Bologna certainly had more energy in everything, and that’s precisely what’s disappointing to see: there was more desire and enthusiasm. It should make us reflect, because it’s our fifth defeat of the season. 

‘It means making reflections, and we’ve already done some. They played on Thursday, by the way, and they looked poisoned. 

‘We, on the other hand, did our homework until we were level, and then we loosened up. We need to have a different energy than what I’ve seen since the start of the season.’