Ahead of the resumption of his side’s Serie A campaign against Genoa, Rudi Garcia has picked out details necessary for his team to excel going into the new season. With back-to-back games – almost ten – in the space of four weeks, Napoli prepare to get back into shape after tasting their first defeat of the season at the hands of Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio.
Speaking to the press in his pre-match conference (via Calciomercato), Garcia took stock of what lies ahead for the Scudetto title holders, with Genoa the first team to be tackled.
“Seven matches in 23 days will be like a marathon. It will be important to start well and have the whole group available. Some did not recover 100%, but I’m happy that there are no injuries. I will give space to those who deserve it and are ready. Tomorrow we will change some men from those who faced Lazio.”
He urged his men to make the most of their chances upfront instead of being wasteful, which he blames for the latest loss against the Biancocelesti.
“We won the first two and didn’t botch the third because the first half was excellent. We need to improve in managing the match and being effective in front of goal. The second half started well, and I remember Pior Zielinski’s shot, for instance. At least he hit the mark because in the last two games we didn’t hit it very well,” before going on to back De Laurentiis’ recent words: “If he said that there is work to be done, that’s the case. There is still a lot to do. For example, we need to make better use of our ball possession and finalize better. They are things to cultivate and improve. When you play every three days you have less time but you always have to get better.”
A new-look Genoa side, led by Alberto Gilardino, await Napoli in their next challenge.
“Genoa are newly promoted but a great club at the same time. The important thing for us is to have studied this solid squad on a defensive level, which was capable of winning 1-0 against Lazio. Genoa started bad at home against Fiorentina but then changed their formation and bounced back.”
“We will have to play with seriousness and attention, respecting the opponent in this stadium, where it is difficult to win. For this reason, we will go there giving 100% and without thinking about the next match. I don’t want the team to have anything else in mind. Concentrate fully on this match.”
The Luigi Ferraris is the stadium where Napoli have picked the most wins since their return to the top flight in 2007/08 (W18, D4, L8).
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