The thought of driving in Naples is madness. The chaotic and confused streets offer no obvious sense of order or process, yet somehow it works. Watching the locals, you realise that here, you don’t learn how to drive you feel how to drive and this is similar to Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli. In the passion infused San Paolo, they have taken on some of Europe’s elite and have learned how to flow in tandem with one another, using brinkmanship and skill to navigate through the games. Against Juventus however, they had a bump and they have been tentative on the road there after. This weekend they will have to prove if they can get back their fluidity after hitting that old Fiat.
Massimiliano Allegri’s game plan worked and helped by an injury to Lorenzo Insigne, ‘The Old Lady’ of Italian football proved again why she is a serial title winner. Up until this point the Partenopei had won 12 and drawn only twice and (with Inter) boasted an undefeated record. Even so it was thought that despite this defeat the prefect tonic was around the corner as a trip to Florence could help them get back on a winning streak, but it ended level. That same weekend Inter drew with Juventus and the ‘Flying Donkey’s’ drew with Roma as veteran goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino, who the previous week had been at fault for three of Inter’s goals, fulfilled his mission to redeem himself.
This mini blip is still cause for concern, despite Sarri’s team sitting in second, only a point behind the Milanese and lying a point ahead of the Bianconeri. Perhaps it is hard to see why, especially as their run up to the winter break is not as tough as maybe imagined. They face and unpredictable Torino this weekend, and inconsistent Sampdoria before taking on what should be a relatively easy tie against Crotone. Inter also have a favourable run in but with Roma and Juventus to face off before the end of the year they Scudetto challenge should be on.
The Neapolitan car should in theory, should have endured its bump and despite a stutter, be back weaving through the bustling streets? Right? Maybe not. The problem is whether this vehicle is now properly repaired and more importantly how much fuel Sarri has put in it. The scary thing for the Partenopei faithful, was how different they looked without Lorenzo Insigne. The injury against the Bianconeri did affect the game and they looked a lesser team in Verona without him. This is uncharacteristic of a Sarri team who, after the departure of Gonzalo Higuain, has made a gargantuan effort to make sure that the club is never simply dependant on just one man, so if this is the case, what is the problem?
If Napoli finish the season in third and go out of the Europa League in the latter stages, then the blame must go on Sarri. The team is collectively brilliant and arguably (along with Manchester City) play the best football in Europe. The problem is the strength in depth of the squad as Sarri whilst utilising as many players as he can, simply cannot maintain the high press and quick breaking football without suffering fatigue. Let’s be clear, this is no case of Marcelo Bielsa syndrome, but it is arguable that Napoli need another way to beat teams. It may have to be grittier, but it would spare the physical endurance that his team are undergoing.
Napoli are looking for replacements as Roberto Inglese is coming in February and Sime Vrsaljko is also on the radar. The latter is a perfect fit whilst the former may offer than plan B that Napoli so desperately need but it is arguable that they have failed with this plan before, reference, Leonardo Pavoletti.
It is critical now that Maurizio Sarri gets his vehicle to the winter break so that he can refuel and mend what has been broken without hitting another bump in between. After all, when you fall off, the quicker you should get back on, etc. It is not just for Napoli that the match against Torino hold importance. For fans of Serie A and football in general then the sooner people can stand in awe as the Partenopei swoop, weave and dance through defences again, the better it will be, for it is football at is purest.
