Napoli's recent performance has frustrated and disappointed me. A promising team struggling is hard to watch. I think management's mid-season coach move was a gamble that failed. Starting without a preseason to create the team or adjust to his style was always going to be difficult for Mazzarri. It seems management should be accountable. It's apparent that their important alteration is influencing the team's play.
However, Napoli's problems appear to go beyond the coaching change. The sale of their top defender without a strong successor proved disastrous. It seems they misjudged the difficulty of defending a title, which is often harder than winning it. Napoli's defense is weak, and while hitting the post three times is unfortunate, it shouldn't be an excuse.
Napoli as the league defending champions having a poor season is disheartening to witness. The mid-season coach move, bringing in Mazzarri, indeed posed a challenge, considering the lack of a preseason for him to shape the team and for the players to adjust to his style. In such cases, the management's decisions play a crucial role, and it's reasonable to question the effectiveness of the coaching change.
Selling the best defender without a strong successor is a valid concern. A solid defense is often the backbone of successful teams, and misjudging the importance of maintaining defensive stability can have significant consequences. Defending the title feels harder, because the high expectation and anticipation are already there. It requires careful planning and strategic squad management. It's clear that Napoli's problems extend beyond the coaching change, with defensive vulnerabilities highlighted by the sale of a key player. While hitting the post multiple times can be considered unfortunate, it's crucial not to use it as an excuse for defensive weaknesses. accountability lies with the management, and decisions made during the transfer window and mid-season can significantly impact a team's performance.