Osimhen’s Napoli flirt with worst Serie A title defence ever

Napoli's Victor Osimhen| Imago

FOOTBALL Osimhen’s Napoli flirt with worst Serie A title defence ever

Osimhen’s Napoli flirt with worst Serie A title defence ever

Ayoola Kelechi • 13:50 - 08.01.2024

After four losses in the last six Serie A matches, Napoli are now dangerously close to the worst Serie A title defence ever

Napoli’s 2023/24 is at risk of becoming the worst title defence in Serie A history after a string of poor results leaves the Partenopei in 9th place.

Under Walter Mazzarri's leadership, Napoli have experienced a drastic decline in their performance, marking a significant drop from their previous season's title-winning performance​​​​​​.

Napoli’s loss against Torino

The match against Torino, which resulted in a 3-0 loss for Napoli, highlighted the team's ongoing struggles. The game was particularly notable for debutant Pasquale Mazzocchi's red card, as the youngster began his senior career with Napoli in a most disappointing fashion.

Napoli’s current ninth-place position sits dangerously close to the worst finishing position by a defending champion in Serie A history, currently held by AC Milan, who finished 11th in the 1996/97 season after lifting the Scudetto the previous campaign.

Impact of Victor Osimhen's Absence

A significant factor in Napoli's struggles has been the absence of key player Victor Osimhen. Osimhen's absence has been felt in the team's attacking capabilities, as he has been a pivotal player in Napoli's strategy. 

Napoli forwards Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia || Eurosports
Napoli forwards Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia || Eurosports

The team has had to adapt to his absence due to injuries and now the Africa Cup of Nations, which has contributed to their challenges in scoring and overall performance.

Mazzarri's optimistic outlook despite struggles

Despite the team's struggles, Mazzarri remains optimistic about Napoli's potential for improvement. He has been focusing on enhancing the team's finishing abilities, given their sufficient creation of scoring opportunities.

Napoli manager Mazzarri || Imago
Napoli manager Mazzarri || Imago

His optimism is evident despite disappointing results in matches against teams like Monza, where the team's performance was commendable but failed to yield wins​​​​, as per Italian Football TV.

Napoli remain confident in Mazzarri

In response to the team's underperformance, Napoli's sporting director, Mauro Meluso, has expressed unwavering confidence in Mazzarri.

Walter Mazzarri and Victor Osimhen | Imago
Walter Mazzarri and Victor Osimhen | Imago

He emphasised that Mazzarri's position is secure, suggesting that the team's potential remains intact despite the current downturn in results​​​​.

How Napoli plan to escape Serie A disgrace

Mazzarri has been exploring various tactical approaches to improve the team's performance, including potentially adopting a five-man defence.

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Additionally, the acquisition of Pasquale Mazzocchi is viewed positively, with Mazzarri highlighting Mazzocchi's motivation and adaptability as key assets for the team​​​​.

The upcoming matches and Mazzarri's strategic decisions will be pivotal in determining Napoli's trajectory for the remainder of the season. The focus will be on overcoming the current challenges to improve Napoli's standing in Serie A​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

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Victor Osimhen SSC Napoli Serie A AC Milan