David Neres: Conte’s training sessions ‘the toughest’ | OneFootball

Napoli winger David Neres is happy that Antonio Conte takes the best out of him, but admits the Italian coach’s training sessions are the ‘toughest’ he’s ever done in his career.

Brazilian winger Neres released an interview with Corriere della Sera just a few days before his likely return to action. The Napoli star missed the last five league games due to a hamstring injury.

Neres joined Napoli from Benfica last summer, scoring two goals and providing six assists in 22 Serie A games this term.

“I had played in top teams, but not in a strong league like the Italian one,” Neres said.

“Napoli gave me this opportunity and I didn’t think twice about it. This is a club with a project.”

The Partenopei have just one victory in the last seven games but remain three points below table leaders Inter. So can they aim for the title?

“Why not?” Neres argued.

“It’s not easy, but we’ll surely fight until the end, we can’t give up now.”

Neres has “no doubt” that Inter are the strongest team in Serie A.

“I have never played against Napoli, but faced Inter three times with Benfica, and they really impressed me. Bastoni gave me a hard time,” he argued.

The Brazilian winger added that Romelu Lukaku is his best teammate and a “leader on the pitch and in the locker room” although Stanislav Lobotka is “also crucial” for Napoli.

David Neres: Conte’s training sessions ‘the toughest’

NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 12: Antonio Conte Napoli head coach during the Serie A match between Napoli and Verona at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 12, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Neres joined Conte at the Stadio Maradona last summer and the Brazilian is delighted to work under the 55-year-old.

“He’s very funny, I am serious,” Neres noted.

“He demands a lot from the players, but it’s perfect for me because I tend to relax when a coach isn’t demanding. He brings the best out of you and pushes and motivates like nobody else.”

What Conte did during a pre-season friendly really helped Neres understand his coach.

“He pulled me aside and spoke to me very directly. At that moment, I truly understood who I was dealing with and how I had to behave. It helped me a lot.”

Conte’s training sessions “are the toughest I’ve ever done,” admitted Neres.

“I’ve run more in these six months than in the rest of my career so far.”