Napoli’s need to bridge the gap – New Year’s resolutions

After a yr that began excessive and ended low, Walter Mazzarri’s Napoli will likely be determined to maintain their heads above water within the new yr.

No staff has had a larger fall from grace within the final 12 months than the Partenopei, who began final yr flying excessive beneath coach Luciano Spalletti. They went on to raise their first Scudetto in over three a long time, however the events within the Campania capital left a large number that’s nonetheless being cleaned up.

The error that was Rudi Garcia’s appointment threw Napoli off base this season and compelled Aurelio De Laurentiis to discover a substitute, which in the end turned out to be Mazzarri, a lot to everybody’s shock.

Napoli enter 2024 sitting eighth within the Serie A desk, 5 factors behind fourth place Fiorentina. They’ve progressed within the Champions League, however face Xavi’s Barcelona within the Spherical of 16, a tricky draw.

Mazzarri and the Partenopei have one aim within the new yr – get by to subsequent season with the fires contained, securing a prime 4 spot in Serie A to permit them to regroup and rebuild over the summer time earlier than a recent begin beneath a brand new coach.