Napoli Strive for Upward Turn Despite Stuttering Draw

Napoli’s quest for a strong season finale faces a hurdle after their 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Udinese on Monday. This result extends their winless Serie A streak to four games, casting a shadow over their championship defense.

Victor Osimhen provided a glimmer of hope for Napoli with a goal in the 51st minute, but their joy was short-lived as Isaac Success equalized for Udinese in stoppage time. This dramatic late goal left Napoli coach Francesco Calzona frustrated.

“Clearly I thought we could do better, without a doubt. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case,” Calzona confessed to DAZN.

While acknowledging the team’s struggles, Calzona remains optimistic about the future. “We have to ask the management about the future of Napoli, it’s clear that we have the qualities to do better,” he emphasized. He acknowledged the disappointment of the season but stressed the importance of finishing on a positive note.

However, achieving a strong finish won’t be easy. Napoli currently sits in eighth place with 51 points from 35 games. Bridging the nine-point gap to the European qualification zone, currently occupied by Atalanta and Roma, requires a significant turnaround.

This season stands in stark contrast to their dominant 2022/23 campaign, where they had already amassed 50 points by the halfway mark. Calzona recognizes the need for improvement.

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“Naples is a great place, perhaps after a year like this there will be many rumours circulating,” he admitted. “But it is not a justification.” Despite the potential distractions, Calzona remains focused on the task at hand – securing European qualification.

“There is still a possibility of reaching Europe,” he reiterated. Napoli’s recent form suggests there’s work to be done.

“We have improved a little, but it’s not enough,” Calzona conceded. “We have to do more to win these games.” While they create chances, Calzona highlighted their struggles with converting possession into goals.

“We have also created, the team continues to have good possession, at times sterile,” he explained. “But we have to be more incisive. In the second half we did it but we have to avoid the end of the game where it gets dirty.”

Napoli’s next two matches offer an opportunity to get back on track. They host fourth-placed Bologna on Saturday before a trip to Fiorentina, who are currently one place below them in the table with a game in hand. Securing positive results in these encounters will be crucial for Napoli’s hopes of a successful conclusion to their challenging season.