Mazzarri’s Post-Lazio Interview Sums Up Napoli Reality

Connoisseurs of action-packed football had every reason to switch the channel as Lazio and Napoli shared the spoils in a dull 0-0 draw at the Stadio Olimpico. Despite the reigning Serie A champions’ wasteful showing, Walter Mazzarri insists he’s ‘satisfied’ with Partenopei’s performance. 

“I am very satisfied, we were up against a very strong opponent,” the Napoli boss told DAZN, as quoted by Gianluca Di Marzio. “Last season, Lazio finished second, we were missing a lot of players and had a great response from some lads who hadn’t played in ages.“

In Mazzarri’s defense, Napoli headed into this game without several first-team stars. That’s hardly an excuse for what they offered tonight. 

Stranded in mid-table, Napoli needed a win in the capital to galvanize their top-four ambitions amidst one of the worst title-defending campaigns in Serie A history. Adding insult to injury was a late 1-0 loss to Inter in the Supercoppa Italiana final on Monday. However, Mazzarri’s men were slow to recover. 

The veteran manager’s cautious approach at the Olimpico contributed to an unfathomable failed attempt to register a shot on target. That’s particularly concerning, given that Napoli had lost their three previous away league matches without getting on the scoresheet. 

With that in mind, Mazzarri’s statement barely makes any sense. After extending their fateful run to just one win in their last five Serie A outings, Napoli should consider themselves lucky for finishing this round only four points adrift of fourth-placed Atalanta.

But unless they do something to improve their humiliating spell of form quickly, the gap could grow wider in no time.