It has been a week of mixed fortunes for Napoli as they managed to advance in Europe but were held to a second consecutive Serie A draw this time at relegation threatened Livorno.
The Azzurri made the trip to Tuscany without the suspended Raul Albiol and Gonzalo Higuain, but despite having arguably their best defender and top-scorer unavailable Rafa Benitez assured his pre-match press conference that he was confident of his side’s ability to win at the Stadio Armando Picchi.
This confidence seemed justified in the opening half an hour of the game with Napoli dominating possession and taking a deserved lead courtesy of a Dries Mertens penalty. But they could only hold onto the lead for seven minutes as Ibrahima Mbaye beat Miguel Britos to a cut-back from the by-line and his flicked attempt spun off Pepe Reina’s shoulder into the net.
It was a freakish equaliser against the run of play but the Partenopei seemed to be demoralised for the remainder of the match and looked to be missing Pipita as they failed to take their chances in the second-half.
The 1-1 result is now the fifth occasion so far this season that Napoli have been pulled back from a winning position by opposition in the bottom half of the Serie A table and this latest draw also means that they are still to win back-to-back away games in the league since September.
Speaking after the game Benitez was unable to hide his irritation at his side’s disappointing performance. But the Spanish tactician did deny suggestions that they are too dependent on Higuain.
“In the first half the team controlled the game and we should’ve made more of our domination. It was a game we should’ve won and there are regrets,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
“I am disappointed, with everyone.
“We do not depend on Gonzalo, but we do depend on determination.”
Meanwhile, former Napoli midfielder Gaetano Fontana has controversially suggested that instead of missing Higuain it is perhaps that other players are unable to cope with the weight of expectation when playing for the southern giants as the reason behind their failure to win at Livorno and against other ‘lesser sides’ on occasion so far this season.
“Higuain is a fundamental element, but when Napoli is located in front of Sassuolo or Livorno who are clinging on to hopes of historic salvation, everyone is called into question and has to give an important contribution, as a player for Napoli,” Fontana said during an interview Radio Crc.
“On a mental level I do not think all of the Azzurri players can bear the weight of the role in a team that is so important.”
While there was further domestic disappointment, the Partenopei did manage to progress to the Europa League Round of 16 after a 3-1 aggregate win over Swansea City.
However, the 3-1 final score at the San Paolo was arguably flattering for the Azzurri with Swansea creating the better chances and having twenty shots on target compared to five for Napoli over the two legs. But the Welsh side were punished for not converting their chances and two late goals by Higuain and Gokhan Inler sealed Napoli’s place in the Round of 16.
Napoli will now face Porto on March 13 and 20 after they edged past Eintracht Frankfurt on away goals. Paulo Fonseca’s side are currently third in the Portuguese Primeira Liga and with the Partenopei again having the advantage of playing the second leg at home, Napoli will be optimistic about their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
But before the Europa League resumes, the Vesuviani have the opportunity to put their recent draws behind them and move within three points of Roma if they can secure a win against their southern rivals at the Stadio San Paolo on Sunday night. While the Giallorossi still have a game in hand, three points for Napoli could give them the momentum to push Roma for second place this season.
