Napoli head coach Antonio Conte has justified his decision to make 11 changes to the starting lineup for Thursday's 3-1 defeat away to Lazio in the Coppa Italia round of 16.

The 55-year-old suggested that the tournament gave him the opportunity to avoid injuries to players and make assessments on others as he rested everyone who started last weekend's 1-0 win at Torino.

The result of Conte's selection was a 3-1 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico, with Tijjani Noslin scoring a hat-trick to knock the visitors out of the competition.

"We made a very well-considered choice, we have a long season ahead of us. We can't make the sign of the cross and hope that no one gets injured," Conte told reporters.

"These are matches where we wanted to make assessments. After this match you will make your assessments, I will make mine, and the club will make its assessments. Evaluations are subjective and mine are the most important."

Serie A leaders Napoli face Lazio again on Sunday, this time at home, and are four points ahead of their fifth-placed visitors.

"It will definitely be a different game, we'll be playing at home and in a different competition," said Conte.

"Lazio is definitely a very good team and also equipped to play in the Europa League. They have a valuable squad as demonstrated again today. We will try to play our game."