“I Can’t Perform Miracles In Ten Days, We Need More Time But We Don’t Have Time”
Written By Onyeka Daniel
Things are actually starting to shape up for Serie A defending champions, Napoli after they notched up a second consecutive Serie A victory after the 6-1 demolition of Sassuolo, to give themselves hope of still capturing a top five finish.
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At the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, the Partenopei were victorious over Juventus to keep their dreams of making it into Europe alive and according to their manager, Francesco Calzona, they are ‘on the right track, but there is still a lot to be done’. On the orders of the club, Napoli refused to give interviews to DAZN before or after the match, but Calzona did attend the press conference.
“We are on the right track, but there is a lot still to be done. I am very happy for the victory, I saw a team that wants to improve itself,” he said. “In winning this match, the team sent a signal that it wants to achieve important targets. I am pleased to see such a united side that wants to keep getting stronger.”
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Kvicha Kvaratskhelia volleyed in the opener and Federico Chiesa drilled home for the equaliser, but Joseph Nonge trod on Victor Osimhen’s foot for a penalty. Osimhen saw Wojciech Szczesny parry the spot-kick, but Giacomo Raspadori was quickest to the rebound and it looks like they worked on that in training, because the players all started their run from far outside the area to avoid encroachment and build up a head of steam.
“Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen are two fundamental players for this team. They both had difficult moments this season, but are now almost back to their usual levels.” Their third boss of the season after Rudi Garcia and Walter Mazzarri has seemingly revitalised them and remains unbeaten after initial draws with Barcelona and Cagliari.
“I cannot perform miracles in 10 days, we need more time, but we don’t have time. We must improve in possession and making more vertical passes. I believe in playing out from the back and ask the lads not to kick the ball away. Juve made it difficult for us, but we’re happy. “I don’t think I did anything in particular, I just told the lads to relax and apply themselves in training. I tried not to talk too much, as with everything that happened, it was the last thing they needed.”
Amir Rrahmani limped off with a muscular issue, while Cyril Ngonge and Jens Cajuste were in the stands. “Rrahmani felt the adductor harden and it could’ve been aggravated, so it was best to stop. He will be evaluated tomorrow.” Along with the hope of clawing their way back into the race for Champions League qualification, Napoli must also prepare for the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Barcelona on March 12.
“We need to memorise as many notions as possible. We are back in the race and it is our duty to get a result against Torino, even if it won’t be easy. As for Barcelona, there’s time for them.” As for the hero of the night, Raspadori, he gave the credit to their third Napoli coach of the season after netting the winner. ‘These are the results of the first 10 days under Calzona.
“This is the kind of game we expected and prepared for, as we knew it could be fundamental,” Raspadori told Sky Sport Italia in a post match interview. “We are improving day by day and building something important here. These are the results of the first 10 days working with Mister Calzona. We are happy because even when we got into a difficult situation, we still managed to keep a very high level of concentration, and that is what allowed us to get the result.” He further added.
Meanwhile…
Barcelona are facing an injury crisis ahead of their Champions League Round of 16 tie with Napoli, as Pedri and Frenkie de Jong limped off in their 0-0 draw against Athletic Bilbao. Pedri is absolutely no stranger to muscular problems.
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And this showed in his reaction to a suspected hamstring strain, as he sat in tears on the bench while consoled by staff and teammates. It was the right thigh yet again and that suggests a relapse and long lay-off. Midfielder De Jong was stretchered off after badly spraining his right ankle, so he too is very unlikely to recover in time for the Napoli match.
The first leg of the showdown ended 1-1 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in what was the debut of third coach of the season Francesco Calzona. As the away goals rule has been scrapped in UEFA tournaments, it becomes winner takes all in the second leg on March 12. Barcelona won’t even have home advantage of Camp Nou, as the stadium is undergoing restructuring work, so it will be played at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys instead.
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