Napoli will be playing Salernitana in Serie A this weekend, a fixture that in the past might have seemed like an easy win for them. However, the current season paints a different picture.
In their recent match against AC Milan, the Italian champions found themselves trailing by two goals and had to stage a comeback to secure a 2-2 draw at home. This result reflects their overall poor form this season, as they currently occupy fifth place in the league with 18 points from 10 matches, having won five, drawn three, and lost two.
While some may argue that it’s premature to sound the alarm bells, there are evident issues with the Napoli team this season. The departure of their charismatic coach, Luciano Spalletti, who led them to their first Scudetto in 33 years, has left a void. Spalletti chose to step away, citing the need for a sabbatical and explaining that he no longer had the energy to meet the high expectations.
Rudi Garcia was appointed as his successor, a move that many found surprising. However, since taking charge, Garcia has failed to make a significant impact. Clinton McDubus, a prominent football analyst and podcaster, attributes Napoli’s decline this season to Garcia’s management. McDubus criticizes Garcia’s tactics, decision-making, and game management, asserting that his leadership is taking the team backward.
One notable incident that has drawn attention is the social media controversy involving star striker Victor Osimhen. Napoli’s official TikTok account mocked Osimhen for missing a penalty against Bologna, which has cast doubts on his future with the club. Despite this, McDubus believes that Osimhen, who played a pivotal role in Napoli’s title win last season, remains a professional and can be relied upon to score goals. He suggests that Osimhen, along with his teammates, is suffering due to the manager’s incompetence.
Some observers have compared Napoli’s situation to second-season syndrome, drawing parallels with Leicester City’s unexpected Premier League win in 2015. Currently, Napoli finds itself trailing the two Milan clubs and Juventus, the traditional Serie A champions.
In conclusion, Rudi Garcia needs to address the team’s performance, and Victor Osimhen must overcome a slow start to ensure Napoli doesn’t fall further down the league table. The team’s fortunes may improve if there is a managerial change, but for now, their season is off to a challenging start.