Antonio Conte feels that there is still a very big gap between Inter Milan and Napoli heading into next season.

Speaking in his first press conference as new Partenopei coach, via FCInterNews, Conte also highlighted the departure of Piotr ZIelinski to join the Italian champions.

At the start of last season, Napoli were the reigning champions of Serie A.

The Partenopei had won the 2022-23 title by a wide margin.

However, Napoli’s form dropped off in the most dramatic fashion last season. They plummeted all the way to tenth in the Serie A table.

Meanwhile, Inter had the same sort of campaign season that Napoli had the previous time out.

The Nerazzurri dominated in Serie A, with no other rivals close to them in the table.

This summer, Napoli have acted to try and get back to where they were just twelve months ago.

The Partenopei have brought in a name who is very familiar to Inter. Former Nerazzurri, Chelsea, and Juventus coach Conte is now on the Napoli bench.

Conte: “Still A Big Gap Between Inter & Napoli, Zielinski Strengthens Inter”

Asked if he thinks Napoli have done anything to catch up to Inter, Conte joked “It’s difficult in two days of work.”

“Last season the gap was clearly a big one,” the coach continued.

“The team were 41 points behind Inter. Fifteen behind fifth spot for the Champions League, and ten points behind the teams from Rome.”

“That’s the reality we find ourselves in,” Conte made clear.

“The people making predictions have to be reasonable,” the coach said of suggestions that Napoli could be in the title picture next season.

“Otherwise we end up with a picture that’s – I won’t say ridiculous, but not truthful.”

“There’s the 41-point gap. And then there’s the fact that a player who was a symbol of Napoli like Zielinski has left, and strengthened Inter who were already so far head.”

“We still don’t know how our transfer window will end,” the Napoli coach noted.

“We could lose Osimhen. Our key attacking player, the player who made the difference in the season we won the Scudetto.”

As far as the Serie A title race goes, Conte said that “If I were a betting agency, I’d still make [Inter] as favourites.”