Mazzarri keeps Napoli guessing on tactical shape

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BySusy Campanale

Feb 3, 2024 17:33

Walter Mazzarri keeps everyone guessing on his Napoli tactics against Verona and warns against creating excessive ‘tension’ in the squad.

The Partenopei host Verona at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday and the press conference was hijacked by President Aurelio De Laurentiis.

During that intervention, the patron also said that he was thinking about scrapping pre-match press conferences for the coach, so this might be the last Mazzarri gives this season, at least in Serie A.

He was asked if Napoli will again play with three at the back tomorrow or go back to four?

“You will see tomorrow. The team has learned to play in a 3-4-3, 3-5-1-1 and also a four-man defence. Having options for the system will be an advantage for the rest of the season, as football means changing even during a match,” replied Mazzarri.

While Napoli have rediscovered some defensive solidity with a three-man defence, they are also struggling to score goals.

“If you look at the last two games, the undeserved draw with Monza where we created so many chances, but in others we didn’t create as much for various reasons. Aside from the Torino match, which I would cancel out entirely, we were solid in the others.

“We have returned to being a team that doesn’t really struggle. We need to be more aggressive going forward, not wait until the last minute to create four or five chances. We also have to shoot from distance, we can’t always try to pass it into the net.

“What can you ask of the coach when players miss one-on-one with the goalkeeper?”

Piotr Zielinski has been left out of the UEFA squad list, reportedly as revenge for letting his contract run down to join Inter next season, and will miss the Verona match too.

“Zielinski did not train today and is not in good shape, so he probably won’t be called up.”

Napoli were very active in the January transfer window and Hamed Junior Traore could feature tomorrow, with Mazzarri confirming the Bournemouth-owned midfielder “has about 20 minutes in his legs.”

After noting that Jesper Lindstrom still needs to adapt to the tactical demands of Serie A, the coach discussed the targets for this season.

“Fourth place is not that far away, it’s still possible. However, we must not put too much pressure on these lads, as so often we ended up down to 10 men because they feel the tension and go over the top. I must teach them the right balance.

“Football is about concentration, but not tension, otherwise we end up doing damage like against Roma.”

LIVE TMW – Napoli, Mazzarri: "Modulo? Lo vedrete domani. Zielinski è out" https://t.co/l95IiISCJn

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