Unprecedented Collapse: Napoli’s Serie A Champions Stumble
Napoli, the reigning Italian champions, have experienced an unprecedented collapse this season. The team’s struggles have been so severe that they have already gone through three coaches in the current campaign. As they prepare to face Barcelona in the Champions League, Napoli will be led by their newest coach, Francesco Calzona.
The downfall of Napoli has been shocking, as they have completely lost their style, identity, and competitive attitude since winning Serie A. Last year, Manchester City’s coach Pep Guardiola described them as the “strongest team in Europe,” but they are nowhere near that level now. At this point last season, Napoli had collected 65 points in Serie A and had a strong attack and solid defense. They were playing exhilarating football and thrilling fans with their performances.
However, this season has been a different story. Napoli currently sits in ninth place in the league, a massive 27 points behind league leaders Inter. Their first two coaches of the season, Rudi Garcia and Walter Mazzarri, failed to replicate the success of their Scudetto-winning predecessor, Luciano Spalletti. Garcia’s lack of knowledge about the club and Mazzarri’s outdated tactical approach proved to be detrimental to the team’s performance.
Under Mazzarri’s leadership, Napoli struggled to score goals and often found themselves trailing in matches. In fact, they have scored fewer goals than any other team in Serie A since Mazzarri took charge. The players struggled to adapt to his tactical concepts, resulting in confusion on the field. The absence of Victor Osimhen, last season’s top scorer in Serie A, due to injuries and international commitments, has also been a significant blow to the team.
Napoli’s owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis, recently admitted that he made a mistake by not keeping Spalletti as the coach. He acknowledged that good management is crucial to success and that he failed to replace the sporting director and coach effectively. However, De Laurentiis hopes that their new coach, Calzona, can turn things around. Calzona is familiar with the club, having previously worked with Maurizio Sarri and Spalletti. He understands the style of football that Napoli and its fans appreciate, and his appointment has brought some optimism to the team.
As Napoli prepares to face Barcelona in the Champions League, there is a glimmer of hope for their fans. Osimhen, their star striker, is back from injury and ready to make an impact. His return will provide a much-needed boost to Napoli’s attack and leadership on the field.
The collapse of Napoli, once a promising and dominant force in Italian football, is disheartening. However, with a new coach and the return of key players, there is still a chance for them to salvage their season. The upcoming match against Barcelona will be a true test of their resilience and determination to turn their fortunes around.