As with any Serie A season there are high and lows. After the jubilation of defeating Scudetto rivals Inter the previous weekend, succumbing to Bologna to surrender their position to the Nerazzurri is most definitely a low point.
Maurizio Sarri seemed to have the gift of foresight, as he voiced his concern ahead of the fixture; even going as far as claiming the Rossoblu are currently one of the most difficult Italian teams to face. Even though the resurgence under Roberto Donadoni has been impressive, the manner in which Napoli were cast aside by Bologna was astounding.
Time and time again attacking moves broke down, frustration grew and confidence drained with every missed opportunity. This hasn’t been the first time this season a multitude of chances haven’t been converted, nor is it likely to be the last. The only person to benefit from the Bologna clash was Gonzalo Higuain, who was rewarded for his determination and awareness with a brace late in the game. Although he spent much of the match chasing lost causes and finding Antonio Mirante impossible to beat, the Argentinian has been in stunning form and was deserving of his double.
Sarri was quick to find positives from the defeat, none more pertinent than the shortcoming revealed from such a result. There can be no criticising the Azzurri attack, albeit the pairing of Lorenzo Insigne and Higuain have been somewhat overworked. The defence has gone through an amazing transformation under Sarri, but there is certainly room for further improvement. Midfield is perhaps overlooked in the creative department because of one key individual: Marek Hamsik.
The captain was instrumental in finding the two late goals, but the Slovakian is perhaps being placed with too much responsibility. It can be easy for coaches, fans and critics to assume all is well with such a player in the team, but Hamsik is certainly one of few creative sparks in an otherwise robust looking Napoli side. To instantly call for change so soon after a defeat is nonsensical, but we are certainly getting a better idea of where the squad needs strengthening.
Mercifully, the Partneopei can move away from Serie A for the moment and concentrate on the Europa League. The final match of the group stage will see Napoli welcome Legia Warsaw to the Stadio San Paolo. The ten time Ekstraklasa champions may not have enjoyed their European adventure this year, but they are hoping to end on a high in Southern Italy.
Next up in the league will be Roma, before ending the year with the visit of Hellas Verona and finally a trip to Bergamo to face Atalanta. Although there is the matter of facing Legia in the week, all attention will inevitably be on the big clash with the Giallorossi. Sarri will be hoping to see the same response from his players in their narrow 2-1 win over Inter. Napoli are still among the favourites to win the league, and even defeat to Roma won’t neccesarily change that fact.
