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Stellini: ‘Napoli should be taught to maintain depth going if we’re to dream’

Antonio Conte’s assistant supervisor Cristian Stellini admits Napoli ‘lacked one thing’ within the second half of . ‘If we will be taught to maintain the identical depth, we will dream.’

It was a troublesome build-up on the Stadio Dall’Ara, as a result of Conte sat out a touchline ban, then Alex Meret pulled out with flu signs and Alessandro Buongiorno had muscular points, so there have been some last-minute modifications to the beginning XI.

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Nonetheless, Napoli had the higher of the primary half and took the lead with an Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa solo run from midfield, shrugging off challenges to deposit into an empty web.

Bologna dominated after the break, pinning the Partenopei again and drawing stage via the spectacular Dan Ndoye back-heel flick.

Stellini noticed Napoli lose their manner on the Dall’Ara

epa12016679 Napoli’s assistant coach Cristian Stellini appears to be like on throughout the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna FC and SSC Napoli, in Bologna, Italy, 07 April 2025. EPA-EFE/SERENA CAMPANINI

“It was an excellent first half, we had ready an aggressive method with lots of motion and depth, which we did very nicely,”

“After the break, we actually lacked one thing, maybe we centered extra on defending than attacking, so once you lose the momentum on this ambiance in opposition to a staff in Bologna’s type, it’s a wrestle to get that again.

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“We have been now not in a position to play, we’re a staff who has to boost the tempo and press excessive. If we don’t try this, we can’t make an impression on the match. We should enhance when it comes to mentality and the will to play the ball.

“Bologna pressed arduous and we didn’t transfer with the identical high quality as within the first half. We misplaced our form, the passes for Romelu Lukaku have been for much longer than within the first half and have been due to this fact simpler to defend in opposition to. Bologna deserve credit score for forcing us out of practice and forcing these errors.”

epa12016577 Napoli’s Frank Anguissa (L) celebrates along with his teammate Scott McTominay after scoring the 0-1 objective throughout the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna FC and SSC Napoli, in Bologna, Italy, 07 April 2025. EPA-EFE/SERENA CAMPANINI

Scott McTominay additionally hobbled off with a knock, making manner for Billy Gilmour, whereas Giovanni Di Lorenzo was booked and can be suspended in opposition to Empoli.

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“McTominay had a bruise to his thigh and hip, so he was struggling to run and felt ache. Buongiorno was warming up as a result of if we wanted him, we had to make certain he was in a position to play. We hope his muscular challenge will be resolved for the subsequent sport, however we needed to maintain him heat in the present day simply in case,” defined Stellini.

A win right here would’ve closed the hole on the high to at least one level after Inter fumbled a 2-0 lead for his or her 2-2 draw with Parma, however as a substitute

On the identical time, a victory was an enormous ask contemplating Bologna have been coming into this sport off six consecutive victories between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, with the prospect to leapfrog Atalanta into third place.

“We need to struggle for one thing vital, however should additionally remember that we began the season aiming to complete within the high 4, so in the present day’s level is vital to maintain that goal going of the highest 4,” concluded Stellini.

“If we maintain bettering in our mentality, be taught to maintain the identical depth, high quality and tempo within the second half of our video games too, then we will maintain dreaming.”