The Dutchman has played 110 minutes in six games so far, which is too little to be satisfied. And his relationship with Conte is still to be built.

Noa Lang’s frustration is easy to imagine. He saw Napoli as a step forward in his career, but it is turning out to be an unsatisfying experience. He has had very little playing time, playing 110 minutes spread over six games, four in the league and two in the Champions League. Yesterday, Conte gave him 32 minutes against PSV, his former team, which is his most consistent appearance so far this season. The 6-2 victory for the Dutch side over the Azzurri has increased the winger’s sense of discontent. “Every player wants to play. I don’t know what else to do. It’s better not to say anything. I signed a contract here and I have to accept it as it is. I have no other choice,” he explained to some local media after the game, as if he felt trapped.

Clearly, his relationship with the coach is still to be built. Conte’s decision to sacrifice a formation with two wingers to make room for four midfielders has greatly limited the space for Lang, as it has for Neres. It is therefore not surprising that there is not much communication between the coach and the Dutchman: “I spoke to him once, but now the game is more important. What we did was scandalous. We were simply outclassed.”