On the heels of a bitterly disappointing campaign and an inauspicious beginning to the current season, native son Lorenzo Insigne is looking to put Napoli on his slender shoulders in his new position.
The ‘trequartista’ role, playing just behind the strikers, is legendary in Italian football and particularly sacred in Naples, where the ghost of Diego Maradona is palpable and fans are predisposed to be disappointed with current players given the inevitable comparisons to the city’s adopted son and most influential player.
Unfair or not, this is the precisely the cauldron that “Lorenzinho” steps into as new coach Maurizio Sarri looks to the 24-year old Insigne to pull the strings for an attack that is immensely talented, but under intense scrutiny as it must score, and score often, to paper over a mistake-laden defense.
The pressures of playing in his hometown has sometimes rattled Insigne. Such was the case last year when he criticized the faithful for whistling him mercilessly after a few sub-par performances.
An unfortunate knee injury followed soon afterward and the time away from the limelight appeared to refocus the young forward. He worked hard to return much sooner than expected and was overcome with emotion upon scoring again at the San Paolo against Sampdoria in April.
A willingness to keep his head down and channel his energy paid dividends for Insigne; upon his return he was being favored over Dries Mertens by former coach Rafa Benitez in a very crowded and highly skilled Azzurri attack.
A new coach brought a new formation and playing style (though sadly resulting in similar results) and Insigne’s ascendency has continued. In the first three matches, Sarri has employed a different strike partner alongside Gonzalo Higuain but has started Insigne as a trequartista behind them and the diminutive winger-turned-playmaker has certainly fulfilled on the promise his immense talents suggest.
Fans were accustomed to see Insigne employed out on the left wing where he’d nearly always cut inside to the top of the 18-yard box and unleash a right-footed shot. The tactic was initially successful but the predictability limited his effectiveness as opponents anticipated the movement.
A newfound willingness to make the extra pass, vary his tempo and particularly his indefatigable defending were all additions to Insigne’s arsenal last season and early season returns indicate he has added a new level of creativity and discipline, two prerequisites for an effective trequartista.
A reward, albeit tainted due to the disappointing result, for Insigne’s efforts came last Sunday against Empoli where he scored a sublime goal with a one time right-footed shot from 22 yards. The finish was exquisite, particularly upon subsequent views, as it appeared to be passed into the upper corner with relative ease.
The goal brought praise from perhaps the greatest trequartista of this century as Alessandro Del Piero called the goal “spectacular” and heaped praise on Insigne for overcoming last year’s difficulties. The words rang home with Insigne who, despite loving the club without end and sometimes relishing in Juventus’ demise, grew up with a poster of Pinturicchio on his bedroom wall.
The scugnizzo (a term of endearment for a Neapolitan boy) has demonstrated the desire and character to step onto the big stage. It will certainly be needed as the Partenopei will rely heavily on the 5’4″ playmaker in the next month with Europa League play beginning and the Serie A calendar bringing critical matches against arch-rivals Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina.
