Calzona: ‘Napoli must do more to win and reach Europe’

Francesco Calzona outlines what Napoli got wrong in the 1-1 draw with Udinese and insists they can still qualify for Europe, but ‘must do more to win these matches.’

The Partenopei had been ready to celebrate victory in the same venue where they won the Scudetto a year ago, when Victor Osimhen’s header broke the deadlock, and another from the Nigerian was disallowed for offside.

However, Isaac Success pounced from six yards in stoppages to give Udinese a 1-1 draw, the same result as that title decider in 2023, but so much has changed since then.

“When you are up against a five-man defence, you need to move them around, or it’s just a brick wall. We moved it slowly and predictably,” Calzona told DAZN.

“We did better in the second half, moved the ball more quickly, created chances. It’s a pity that for the third game running we saw victory slip away.”

It is curious that Calzona has not kept a clean sheet since arriving on the Napoli bench, but over the last three Serie A rounds they conceded goals by strikers who had not scored in at least a year – Empoli’s Alberto Cerri, Tammy Abraham of Roma and today Success.

“When the game gets rough, that is not our style. I even asked us to keep the ball in midfield, as I knew they could cause us problems by just pumping crosses into the box. We were a bit chaotic, which we are not good at and need to avoid,” added Calzona.

“We had to score that second goal, as this season we always seem to concede, so doubling the lead would’ve made it more comfortable.”

The Champions of Italy are now languishing in eighth place and could be leapfrogged by Fiorentina, who have a game in hand.

As things stand, the best they could hope for is a place in the Conference League next season and Napoli are mathematically out of the running for the Champions League.

Calzona still believes Napoli can reach Europe

“I thought we could do better, that is beyond doubt, but unfortunately it wasn’t the case. As for the future of Napoli, you’d have to ask the directors.

“We had the quality to do better, it has been a disappointing and cursed year, but we must try to end it on a high, especially as the team has been playing more organised football recently. We were a bit sluggish, but the team has found some sense of organisation and that is something, considering the season.”

Are Napoli even trying to get into the Europa League or have they given up completely?

“Clearly, all these rumours about the future are not helping, but we have to accept them. It is not a justification. I keep telling the team that they can still qualify for Europe. We improved a few things, but it is not enough, we must do more to win these matches.

“Our possession is often too sterile and we tend to concede late on when we are not accustomed to this type of messy game.”

Could some of Calzona’s assistants remain at the club next season, even when he goes back to his day job as coach of Slovakia?

“I was not proposed anything. I think if Napoli hire a new coach, he will bring his own staff.”