Napoli Coach Rues: ‘We Were Solid Vs Inter Milan, But Not Atalanta’

Francesco Calzona feels that Napoli were “solid” against Inter Milan before the break, but failed to be so against Atalanta.

The Partenopei coach spoke in a press conference after his team fell to a 0-3 defeat against La Dea in a disappointing Serie A setback earlier today, as reported by FCInterNews.

Napoli’s woes continue as the reigning Serie A champions endure what’s been a very tough title defense.

This time it is Atalanta who have run roughshod over the reigning champions. They came to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and scored three goals without reply, a big result in the European places.

This kind of result is particularly disappointing for Napoli considering the form that they had been in prior to the international break.

Since Calzona took over, the Partenopei have steadied their course quite a bit.

There was a 2-1 win over Juventus at home, certainly an important statement result.

And just before the break, the Partenopei had snatched a draw 1-1 against Inter from the San Siro.

Calzona: Napoli Solid Vs Inter, But Not Atalanta

It wasn’t just the fact that Napoli took a point against Inter. It was the way in which they did so.

The Nerazzurri have become the runaway league leaders in Serie A this season.

In many ways, Simone Inzaghi’s team are replicating the exact kind of campaign that Napoli had had last time around.

So when Inter got the opening goal at the San Siro, it did seem more than likely that they would beat the defending champions in order to take another step towards the Serie A title.

But Napoli did not capitulate.

In the second half, Calzona’s team not only stayed in the match, but actually pushed Inter.

And there was a reward for this solid, intense performance. Napoli became the first team this season in Serie A to score against Inter after the 75th minute.

But against Atalanta earlier today, it was a wildly different story from Calzona’s players.

The Napoli coach explained how his team broke down in that match. “We lack solidity,” he said. “We’re fragile when we don’t have the ball.”

“We don’t play as a defensive unit, we chase the opposition, and it doesn’t work.”

Calzona noted that “Against Inter we were more solid. But today we weren’t.”

“Against physical teams like this, if you don’t stay solid it becomes difficult.”