Series A
Calzona: ‘Napoli confused, but fought Barcelona’
Francesco Calzona admits some ‘tactical confusion’ was pure at Napoli within the circumstances, however hails their ‘response’ to a robust Barcelona begin. ‘That’s basic.’
It has been a whirlwind few days for the Slovakia coach, as he was employed to interchange Walter Mazzarri on Monday night and had simply two coaching classes to organize for this Champions League Spherical of 16 tie.
“We’ve got numerous work to do, however I congratulated the staff for rediscovering the will to battle,” Calzona informed Amazon Prime Video Italia.
“It was an excellent second half, however on a tactical stage we’d like progress. I put out some gamers who weren’t in the very best form, we allowed Barcelona to vary the strains and cross the sector, which you can’t do with a staff like this.
“Nonetheless, on the finish we tried to win it and that is a vital signal. I actually favored the spirit of the facet.”
Alex Meret saved them within the recreation with saves on Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan within the first half, however after Robert Lewandowski pounced on a Pedri by means of ball, Victor Osimhen replied on the Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa help by turning Inigo Martinez.
“The gamers gave their coronary heart and soul to keep away from defeat in opposition to a really sturdy opponent,” continued Calzona.
“Contemplating our tactical issues, we struggled initially, however I can perceive there’s some confusion after just one and a half days of working collectively.
“Those that got here off the bench supplied extra power and organisation, doing very effectively.”
Calzona was actually not shy about making sturdy selections, as he hauled off Kvicha Kvaratskhelia for Jesper Lindstrom after which changed Osimhen straight after the purpose.
“We suffered a terrific deal within the first half-hour, then the staff reacted. It was a disorganised response, however nonetheless a response. That’s basic, preventing to the top in opposition to a staff of this high quality leaves me happy.”
It’s all sq. going into the second leg on March 12, which is not going to be at Camp Nou attributable to restructuring work, so is as an alternative hosted by the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Calzona: “Ritrovata la voglia di lottare e lo spirito giusto, ma c’è ancora tanto disordine” https://t.co/u9mArRC4Fm
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) February 21, 2024
