The draw in Copenhagen leaves more regrets than satisfaction, and Giovanni Di Lorenzo isn't looking for excuses. The Napoli captain lucidly analyzes the 1-1 draw against the Danes, who were down to ten men from the 35th minute, pointing to the second half as the real turning point of the match.
"We did the hardest thing, which was to get the lead. Then in the second half, we miscalculated our approach, coming back as if the score were 5-0 and not 1-0. You can't afford that in the Champions League, and at the first mistake, your opponents will put you in trouble.", Di Lorenzo told the microphones after the match, explaining how superficial management put Copenhagen back in the running.
The disappointment is evident, because Napoli had the match in hand. "It's a shame not to win this match. We were playing a great game and we threw away valuable points for the standings. We'll analyze what went wrong.", adds the captain, aware of the specific weight of this draw in the race for qualification.
Di Lorenzo's gaze now shifts to a tight schedule, with two fixtures that could shape the entire season. "We'll prepare one match at a time. We'll first focus on Sunday and the match against a strong team like Juventus. Then we'll focus on the Champions League. These are two games that could shift the season, and we'll have to approach them with maximum preparation.", points out.
Finally, a reference to the numerical emergency that has been affecting the Azzurri for weeks, without however turning it into an excuse. “There aren't many of us, but that shouldn't be an excuse.”, concludes Di Lorenzo, drawing the line: self-criticism, work and focus on the next battles.
The worst has been averted. Giovanni Di Lorenzo has not ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, as initially feared after the injury he suffered against Fiorentina. Diagnostic tests have revealed a grade II sprain to his left knee, which will sideline the Napoli defender for approximately a month. The announcement was made…
After the 3-2 defeat against Chelsea that cost Napoli elimination from the Champions League, Giovanni Di Lorenzo is not looking for excuses and points the finger at the Azzurri's European campaign. «Maradona's applause at the end of the match? They are always with us regardless of the result, but we knew that. We wanted to win tonight and play a great match. It's a shame, but we certainly didn't lose tonight.»
The Italian defender acknowledges the value of the performance against the English, but broadens his gaze to previous matches. «We made too many mistakes along the way, we dropped too many points, it's a shame because tonight despite the result we played an excellent match, we tried to keep the pace high and put pressure on them, it's a shame about the result».
Napoli bid farewell to the Champions League amid bitter applause from Maradona. On the final day of the league phase, the Azzurri lost 3-2 to Chelsea, missing out on the playoffs, at the end of a thrilling match filled with upsets and regrets.
The English side broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, when Enzo Fernandez converted the penalty awarded for a handball by Juan Jesus. The start was shocking, but the Neapolitan team's reaction was immediate and furious. In the 33rd minute, Vergara created a goal worthy of a cinematic classic: tight control in the box, a mistimed pass, and a precise diagonal shot that leveled the scoreline. Maradona ignited, and Napoli rode the wave of emotion, completing the lead just before halftime with Hojlund, who quickly slotted in Olivera's low cross from the left.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
The draw in Copenhagen leaves many questions unanswered. I don't understand how a team like Napoli, with so much talent, can make such obvious mistakes. I hope they can improve in their next match.