Gennaro Gattuso rued Napoli’s tendency to hit the woodwork against Udinese and declared ‘this isn’t football. The players aren’t robots’.
Napoli relied on Matteo Politano’s last-gasp strike to beat Udinese 2-1, but Gattuso was not entirely happy after the game, questioning his team’s finishing and how his players were expected to keep performing ‘every three days’.
Gennaro Gattuso rued Napoli’s tendency to hit the woodwork against Udinese and declared ‘this isn’t football. The players aren’t robots’.
Napoli relied on Matteo Politano’s last-gasp strike to beat Udinese 2-1, but Gattuso was not entirely happy after the game, questioning his team’s finishing and how his players were expected to keep performing ‘every three days’.
“I’m happy that we sought victory until the final whistle,” he said after the game.
“Udinese are a very physical team. Our biggest regret is that we hit the woodwork again.
“We spent a lot of time in their half of the field and conceded with their first attack.
“We must improve in this regard. I think it was an important victory, which lets us work better.
“I don't think our problem is a lack of balance. We hit the woodwork a lot and, in some cases, there’s been some bad luck.
“This is something that worries us, but now we’re taking part in another sport. This isn’t football.
“Playing every three days and without fans is something different, the players aren’t robots. I can’t say anything bad about this team.
“Mertens took a knee to his backside so he couldn’t run fluently. I hope it’s nothing serious.”
The former Milan boss was then asked about reports a coronavirus spike in Catalonia could prevent Barcelona from hosting his team in the Champions League next month.
“I haven’t got caught up in any of it because it’s not my job. It’s something for the President and his guys.
“It’s normal that there’s some concern, but it’s something that will be addressed. We hope to get to the match in a good way.
“We’ve done some great things in the last two months. I got angry at Bologna because I saw a team that seemed unorganised.
“What I care about is our mentality. We can’t think about not putting effort in, even if we have nothing left to play for.”