Rudi Garcia concedes Napoli lost their way in the second half of their 2-1 defeat to Lazio and explains the Kvicha Kvaratskhelia substitution. ‘We must learn that if we cannot win, we must at least not lose.’
The Partenopei had the perfect start to the campaign after victories over Frosinone and Bologna, but came undone in front of their own fans against their former coach, Maurizio Sarri.
Luis Alberto was the key figure with a back-heel flick goal and his dummy letting through the Felipe Anderson assist for Daichi Kamada’s winner.
“We deserved to be ahead at half-time, because we played really well at the start and did not get the goal we deserved,” Garcia told DAZN.
“On almost Lazio’s only real foray into our half, they scored, so had a 100 per cent efficiency rate. We equalised, but in the second half were far less effective in our passing and creating chances.
“Considering the second half, Lazio deserved the win, but looking at the match as a whole, I think a draw would’ve been better. The lads must learn that when we cannot win, we must at least not lose.”
Piotr Zielinski’s deflected effort had temporarily equalised, but Lazio had two more goals narrowly disallowed by VAR for offside, denying Mattia Zaccagni and Matteo Guendouzi, as they were left very unbalanced on the counter-attack.
“We knew that against Lazio it is dangerous to take risks, because Felipe Anderson and Ciro Immobile are so good on the counter. Perhaps we weren’t aggressive enough in some defensive situations and need to improve that.
“I was not expecting that second half performance, but even then we could’ve got the equaliser and were not precise enough. We had 22 shots and none of them were on target in the second half, so it becomes difficult to score when we do that.
“There was even a chance at the final whistle with Juan Jesus and then Lindstrom firing over the bar. We have to accept the result and hope to get everyone in shape after the break for international duty for the start of this marathon season. There will be no time to complain.”
It is not the first time this season that Napoli have looked a little too frantic when attacking and left gaps at the back, also becoming less effective upfront.
“We had pressured them well in the first half and recovered the ball early, but it was certainly possible to do better in some situations. We need to be more clinical in front of goal.”
Napoli also seemed to switch off after Kvicha Kvaratskhelia was substituted just past the hour mark.
“He started strong too, then lost some balls in dangerous situations and rather lost intensity. We knew he did not have 90 minutes in his legs, it was his first start after the injury. He still showed that he can make the difference.”