Mazzarri: ‘Napoli will challenge for at least fourth place’

Walter Mazzarri defends his fixed altering of ways at Napoli and claims they ‘deserved’ higher towards Milan with a daring assertion. ‘I’m assured we’ll problem for at the very least fourth place.’

The coach revamped his ways repeatedly at San Siro, shifting from a five-man defence within the first half to a 4-3-3 with the introduction of Matteo Politano. Did he remorse not beginning with that form?

“Milan had a ferocious urgent within the first half and fell again after the break. We did properly, however may’ve accomplished higher to benefit from their dip in health ranges,” Mazzarri advised DAZN.

“I don’t suppose the change of system was the important thing to enjoying higher within the second half, we merely did higher.”

The decisive objective was scored by Theo Hernandez, who mixed with Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud breaking down the left flank.

“We had labored all week on the actions to cope with Theo doing that give and go. I don’t like specifying who made the error, however we had ready to cope with it and a mistake was made. It was a predictable transfer, as a result of that could be a traditional Milan transfer, so we should always’ve closed off the by ball earlier. That’s all I’ll say.”

This was one other disappointing end result for the reigning Champions of Italy, who are actually stranded in ninth place after 10 wins, 5 attracts and eight defeats.

They’re seven factors adrift of Atalanta in fourth, and notably many of the groups within the race for Europe have a recreation in hand – the one exception being Roma in sixth. What’s Napoli’s goal this season?

“The target is to win as many video games as we are able to. It’s potential. We had many accidents, missed essential gamers, we had an amazing efficiency tonight and didn’t should lose.

“We proved once more tonight that we performed properly and will’ve taken three factors if issues had gone our approach towards among the best groups within the league.

“A lot of these forward of us have to return to Naples, so I’ve confidence we’ll problem for at the very least fourth place.”

Kvaratskhelia had been moved to a extra central position to make him much less predictable, however it didn’t appear to work too properly.

“He’s looking for completely different areas, however wherever he goes, there are three defenders ready for him. Generally the challenges generally is a bit tough and that should be punished. When he sees there’s a cage round him, he can lower to a extra central position, however he additionally wants assist from his teammates to maneuver the others with their runs. Kvara can’t at all times be anticipated to dribble previous three or 4.”

Mario Rui was suspended at this time and Mathias Olivera made his comeback from a knee damage within the closing levels.

“In fashionable soccer, a staff should have the ability to interpret completely different tactical techniques even throughout the identical match. The gamers I managed to work with have memorised a lot of these actions, a three-man defence, a 4-3-3 and extra.

“With a three-man defence we did properly within the Supercoppa Italiana, dominating Fiorentina after which holding out for many of the match with Inter, who’ve a really related form. The ideas are the essential factor, not the tactical system.”

Piotr Zielinski returned to the beginning XI this night, however has been excluded from the Champions League squad checklist for the showdown with Barcelona.

The membership insists it was not revenge for refusing to signal a brand new contract, however would it not not be higher to have Zielinski out there in a brief match the place you want the very best on the evening?

“I already defined this, when the Champions League squad checklist was settled in the beginning of the season, we now have launched three gamers, so may solely change three. It’s subsequently higher to depend on the gamers who may signify the way forward for Napoli.

“Sadly, Traore arrived having recovered from malaria, he must rediscover his health and solely has about 25 minutes. He’s the one with the traits most suited to changing Zielinski.

“That is all a good analysis, however Zielinski has not performed that usually these days and we did properly in his absence. We’ve got different choices and there’s no assure he’ll play the subsequent few matches.”

#SerieA | @sscnapoli, le parole di Walter #Mazzarri dopo la sconfitta contro il @acmilan: “Obiettivo Champions? Sono fiducioso, continueremo a lottare”https://t.co/WtHuWv3TMX

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) February 11, 2024