Napoli still have further work to do as they look to consolidate a top three finish in Serie A and secure further progress in the Europa League this season.
Having been arguably fortunate to secure a 0-0 draw in their Europa League round of 32 first-leg tie against Swansea City on Thursday, the Partenopei were then punished for a disappointing second-half performance in the league against Genoa after Napoli-owned Emanuele Calaio scored a curling free-kick from thirty yards to earn the Grifone a late 1-1 draw at the Stadio San Paolo.
After passing up the opportunity to move eight points clear of fourth-placed Fiorentina, head coach Rafa Benitez revealed his frustration at his side’s inability to finish off their opponents.
“The final pass is the most difficult and I do agree that is a problem, as we worked so hard to reach the edge of the box and then it goes wrong. We controlled the game well in the first half, but this final decision makes the difference when it comes to turning pressure into goals,” the Spanish tactician told Sky Sport Italia after the game.
“We must learn to be stronger in defence in this type of game and the attack will follow.”
Il Mattino have claimed that president Aurelio De Laurentiis was furious at the end of the Genoa game, but Benitez is rightfully remaining optimistic that the Partenopei are on course for a successful season.
“I think he [De Laurentiis] has realised the situation is not bad, but we could’ve done better. Pre-season everyone expected us to do something extraordinary, but put together our positions in Serie A, the Europa League and Coppa Italia final all point to a positive campaign. Taken individually some might not be happy, but put together it is a good season,” he continued.
However, there was undoubtedly negative news for Napoli last week with goalkeeper Rafael Cabral having been ruled out for between four to six months after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee just before the end of the first-half of the game against Swansea. The former Santos shot-stopper has remained positive on social media thanking those who have sent him messages of support, but it is definitely a set-back for both the player and club having impressed following his arrival last summer.
With Pepe Reina having suffered from a series of fitness problems this season, the Partenopei are now believed to be looking to sign a free agent as further back-up in addition to veteran Roberto Colombo. A similar situation happened earlier in the season with full-back Anthony Reveillere arriving in November after injuries to Juan Zuniga and Giandomenico Mesto.
Napoli have been linked with numerous potential replacements for Rafael with Sky Sport Italia initially claiming that former German international Tim Wiese was the favoured choice. But they are now suggesting that Spanish shot-stopper Toni Doblas could be set to join the Azzurri after being released by Azerbaijani side FK Khazar Lankaran.
Meanwhile, the agent of Canadian international goalkeeper Milan Borjan has also claimed that his client has been in contact with the club and could arrive in Naples within the next few days.
While it remains to be seen which goalkeeper may be signed, Napoli have now turned their attention to the second leg of their Europa League tie against Swansea at the Stadio San Paolo on Thursday.
Having failed to score in South Wales, the Vesuviani will need to control the game better than they did against Genoa with the danger of conceding an away goal a potential concern going into the game.
In Serie A action, Napoli are once again away at a side at the lower end of the league table. The Partenopei will be looking for a repeat of their performance at Sassuolo rather than their previous outings in Bologna and Bergamo when they face Livorno on Sunday. However, they will be without key men Raul Abiol and Gonzalo Higuain for the trip to the Stadio Armando Picchi due to suspension.
