Napoli, the reigning Italian champions, are facing a tough challenge as they prepare to face Salernitana in their upcoming Serie A fixture this weekend. In the past, a victory for Napoli would have been a safe bet, but this season has been far from expected.
Just last week, Napoli had to fight back from a two-goal deficit to salvage a 2-2 draw against AC Milan at home. This result has only added to their poor run of form, leaving them in fifth place with only 18 points from 10 games. With five wins, three draws, and two losses, Napoli’s performance has raised concerns among fans and experts alike.
It is still early to sound the alarm bells, but there is no denying that something is amiss with the team from Naples this season. Let’s take a closer look at the factors contributing to their fall from grace.
When Napoli secured their first Scudetto in 33 years last May, they had the charismatic Luciano Spalletti at the helm. However, Spalletti decided to step down from his role after the title celebrations, stating that he no longer had the energy to meet the high standards of the club.
Replacing Spalletti was Rudi Garcia, a surprising appointment that has failed to yield positive results so far. According to Clinton McDubus, a renowned football analyst and podcaster, Garcia is solely responsible for Napoli’s decline this season.
“The key issue here is Rudi Garcia, a manager who is out of his depth and unable to meet the expectations placed upon him,” McDubus explains. “His questionable tactics and poor game management have led to this downfall. He lacks the ability to reinvent the team and elevate them to a higher level.”
Garcia’s appointment as Spalletti’s successor has not provided the desired continuity from last season’s success. The team has struggled to adapt to his style, and the results have suffered as a result. Many fans and pundits have lost faith in Garcia, pointing to his underwhelming years at Marseille and Lyon as evidence of his managerial shortcomings.
Furthermore, Napoli has been embroiled in a social media controversy involving their star striker, Victor Osimhen. The club’s official TikTok account mocked Osimhen after he missed a penalty against Bologna, casting doubt on his future with the team.
McDubus, however, defends Osimhen’s professionalism and believes that he can still deliver goals for Napoli. “Osimhen should still be expected to score 20-25 goals, barring any injuries,” he states. “He, like his teammates, is suffering from the incompetence of the manager. With a more skilled tactician in charge, Osimhen could reach even greater heights.”
Some observers have also pointed out that Napoli is experiencing a “second-season syndrome,” drawing parallels to Leicester City’s Premier League triumph in 2015. Napoli’s current position behind traditional powerhouses such as Milan and Juventus has only intensified the scrutiny on Garcia and the team’s performance.
In order to reverse their fortunes, Garcia must regain control and find a way to inspire his players. Osimhen, on the other hand, needs to overcome a slow start to the season and rediscover his scoring touch to ensure Napoli doesn’t fade into irrelevance.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Napoli, but it is clear that changes are needed to set the team back on the path to success.
