Alex Meret insists Napoli still dream of winning the Scudetto and admits Italy should have earned a spot for Qatar 2022 during the qualification group.
The Partenopei sit third in Serie A, four points off leaders Milan with five games remaining. They collected just one point in the last two league matches and have earned 30 points at home this term (6th in Serie A).
“It will be difficult to win the title, but we must remain professional until the end. [Lorenzo] Insigne was disappointed for the points we have dropped, but we can’t give up now,” Meret told Radio Kiss Kiss.
“We’ll go Empoli with the usual desire to win. We can still dream, for the city and the club.
“There is always a special atmosphere at home and we are twice as disappointed not to collect points there. Pressure can’t be an explanation. We are accustomed to it. Hopefully, the trend will change in the coming games.”
Meret is not a regular starter at the Stadio Maradona but was still included in Italy’s Euro 2020 squad last summer.
“I work hard every day and Luciano Spalletti takes decisions that I must accept,” the goalkeeper said. “We are on good terms. A classic rapport between a player and a coach.
“Watching North Macedonia’s goal on TV hurt even more. It was a huge blow for the whole country,” the 25-year-old continued.
“We should have qualified earlier, especially after the Euros. However, we can’t go back in time and we must look at the future.”
Most goalkeepers would have saved that shot. Donnarumma and most keepers know this. He had all the time to cover the angle and save it. Meret is right to feel bad about not qualifying for Qatar. Twice on the row. What I am afraid of is that it has just been accepted. It shouldn’t! We must now qualify at all costs for the next WC. Mancio is the right CT for Italy, regardless of the negative comments that many have written.