Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano explains the tactical choices that surprised Napoli, including a new Lucas Martinez Quarta interpretation and Arthur Melo improvements.
They emerged with a 3-1 victory from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona thanks to goals from Josip Brekalo, Jack Bonaventura and substitute Nico Gonzalez, after Victor Osimhen had temporarily equalised from the penalty spot.
That too was a gift from Fiorentina, as Osimhen pounced on the awful Fabiano Parisi back-pass, but at least Italiano had a sense of humour about it.
“Yes, that was one of the tactical choices we practiced in training, our full-backs to send Osimhen clear on goal,” he joked to DAZN.
“We analysed Napoli’s game against Real Madrid and they created so many chances, deserving more from that performance. In one and a half training sessions, we prepared to avoid what we saw in that match.
“We managed it, of course you also need to be clinical and effective, the lads knew this was a tough test against the Champions of Italy. What often makes the difference is showing character on the ball, making the opponents chase you around, and we were rewarded for that.”
Lucas Martinez Quarta was in even more of an advanced role than he has already shown this season, hitting the upright before the opening Brekalo goal, despite being a central defender.
“Martinez Quarta has atypical quality for a defender, he was a midfielder as a youngster, so he can cover these spaces and move 20-25 metres forward. Tonight he went a bit further forward than that, he was passing with Arthur and Duncan.
“I am really happy for him, because if he realises that he does enormous damage by clocking out at times, then he can become a great player. He has already been rewarded with a call-up by Argentina.”
Fiorentina played a 2-2 thriller with Ferencvaros on Thursday night, so Nico Gonzalez was on the bench.
“Gonzalez told me clearly he was exhausted and could not start, while Jack Bonaventura was tired too and it was touch and go until the last minute whether he would start. I ultimately couldn’t do without his ability to get away from defenders and his quality on the ball in this particular game.”
Italiano also seems to be achieving the remarkable feat of getting the best out of Arthur Melo, who flopped at Juventus and Liverpool.
“If you let Napoli pass it around, then you’ll never get the ball back. So we moved Martinez Quarta further forward, I told Arthur to fight it out with Lobotka and let the best man win, as they have similar characteristics.
“Sometimes Arthur can be hesitant on the ball while he considers his move, but he is getting better at moving it quickly.”
Fiorentina are now in joint third place with Juventus on 17 points, a tally they only achieved three times in the three points for a win era, after 18 in 1998-99 and 2015-16.
When he was asked what their target for this season was, Italiano instead reflected on the last break for international duty, which came after a heavy defeat to Inter.
“We achieved the first objective, which is not to have the same two weeks that we did after San Siro. Some will go on international duty, others on vacation, and those who remained with us after that game had a horrible time waiting to get back on the field.
“I thank my lads, because they give every ounce of energy on the pitch.”