Luciano Spalletti tries to reassure worried fans after Napoli suffer heavy friendly defeats to Villarreal and LOSC. ‘We need to work on our fitness.’
The Partenopei went into the break for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar brimming with confidence, top of the Serie A table and through to the Round of 16 in the Champions League as group winners.
However, their friendly outings have been deeply disappointing, losing 3-2 to Villarreal and last night were jeered by the crowd at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as they capitulated 4-1 to French side LOSC.
“There are things we should do better, but we tried to take the same attitude and you can see right now we need to work on our fitness,” said Spalletti after the defeat.
“When you decide to play open and attacking football, to press the opponents high and keep your defensive line in midfield, if you don’t do the pressing accurately, it all becomes very difficult.
“If the passes are intercepted halfway for counter-attacks, it’s too dangerous. We conceded a couple of goals that we really should not be conceding, but that’s all part of the process.
“At this moment, our legs just aren’t keeping up with us. We try to keep the same attitude as always, but need to step up individually and collectively.”
Napoli cannot afford to take their time over getting back into gear, considering their first game of 2023 will be a Scudetto showdown against Inter on January 4.
In theory, the Partenopei should’ve been the club least affected by the break for the World Cup, as so few of their talents participated in the tournament in Qatar, so should not be fatigued.