Mazzarri ‘very satisfied’ with Napoli performance

Walter Mazzarri is ‘very happy’ with Napoli’s efficiency within the goalless draw away to Lazio, regardless of not having a shot on track.

The Partenopei have been decimated on the Stadio Olimpico, as Giovanni Simeone, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Jens Cajuste have been suspended, plus Alex Meret, Natan and Mathias Olivera injured, Victor Osimhen and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa at AFCON.

“I’m very happy, we have been up in opposition to a really sturdy opponent,” Mazzarri advised DAZN.

“Final season, Lazio completed second, we have been lacking a variety of gamers and had an important response from some lads who hadn’t performed in ages.

“We already noticed a superb response in Saudi Arabia on the Supercoppa, so I acquired affirmation that I’m working with some nice males right here. We solely had a number of coaching classes, however I can already see one thing that I like.”

The absences could properly clarify their timid method, which was targeted largely on defending the three-man defence, however they nonetheless didn’t handle a single shot on track.

It’s greater than only a fluke, as Napoli have now failed to attain in eight of the 14 video games performed since Mazzarri took over from Rudi Garcia.

“It’s at all times troublesome to maintain possession in opposition to Maurizio Sarri’s groups. The statistics present that the staff is taking part in soccer, it has an id and doing issues that make me comfortable,” he mentioned after seeing Napoli had 61 per cent possession on the Olimpico.

“We lacked the power to assault the area at the moment, however Raspadori doesn’t have the identical traits that may enable us to try this very a lot. For the remaining, I’m happy with the efficiency. We have been stable, labored as a staff, and that was not at all times the case once I acquired right here.”

Mazzarri modified just lately to a three-man defence, however won’t rule out reshaping it to the 4-3-3 that received the Scudetto final season.

“I tailored the system to the gamers at my disposal and at the moment that appeared the best choice. When Osimhen, Kvara and the others return, if the staff is in good condition, we will play 4-3-3.”

Osimhen successfully confirmed this week that he intends to depart Napoli on the finish of the season, whereas Zielinski can also be anticipated to stroll away as a free agent in direction of Inter.

“I discuss an important deal to my gamers and I congratulate them. I additionally need to congratulate Diego Demme, who has not performed in a very long time, however is so skilled.

“When lads have somebody guiding them who’s honest, they simply have to offer their greatest. They’ve a contract. In the event that they weren’t doing that, I’d take them off inside 20 minutes.”

#LazioNapoli, #Mazzarri: “Alleno grandi uomini. Faccio i complimenti a #Zielinski e #Osimhen” https://t.co/WzgknrkMeL

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) January 28, 2024