Udinese coach Luca Gotti admits his team never stood a chance against on-form Napoli amid huge injury problems. ‘We had to cobble together a team.’
It was a demolition at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, as although Stefano Okaka did get a consolation goal, it was drowned in five Partenopei strikes.
Udinese coach Luca Gotti admits his team never stood a chance against on-form Napoli amid huge injury problems. ‘We had to cobble together a team.’
It was a demolition at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, as although Stefano Okaka did get a consolation goal, it was drowned in five Partenopei strikes.
“We were up against an excellent Napoli during a period where we are struggling with so many injuries, adding another two over the last few days, and I thank the several lads who grit their teeth to play today when normally they would’ve been rested,” Gotti told Sky Sport Italia.
“Between Napoli’s wonderful form and our physical difficulties, this highlighted all the differences between the two teams.
“We have seen players improve over the last two years and that is, let’s not forget, one of the objectives of this club, to grow players.
“There were moments where the boat was rocking in a storm this season, and we came out of it together. At this epilogue of the campaign, we look at our heaviest defeat and that is a pity, because the squad has worked so hard and stepped up every time.
“Unfortunately, we really did have to cobble together a team this evening.”
Gotti’s future at Udinese is by no means assured, especially as he had for years resisted the idea of being a head coach, wanting to go back to the role of assistant manager.
“I haven’t decided anything yet and answering it after this defeat is frankly not something I want to think about. Despite the difficulties, I didn’t expect us to lose this badly and to make so many mistakes.”