Napoli have announced that following the 3-2 defeat to Empoli, the entire squad will go into a ‘permanent’ training retreat for the rest of the season.
The Partenopei had been challenging for the Serie A title, an ambition that coach Luciano Spalletti confessed is beyond them now following a dismal run of one point from three rounds.
They had been 2-0 up at the Stadio Castellani this afternoon until the 80th minute, when conceding three in seven minutes to capitulate 3-2.
“The club has decided that from Tuesday, when the training sessions resume, the squad will go into a permanent retreat,” read a statement from Napoli.
The ‘permanent’ suggests it will be until the end of the season in mid-May.
That is going to be a strain on some players, particularly Dries Mertens, who just became a father to little Ciro Romeo.
Napoli now need to stay fully focused on securing a top four finish, having fumbled that target in the final game of last season under coach Gennaro Gattuso.
They are on 67 points, only four ahead of a Juventus side with a game in hand and nine in front of Roma.
Fiorentina and Lazio both have 56 points and a game in hand too.