In an interview with `1 Football Club`, a radio program hosted by Luca Cerchione on 1 Station Radio, lawyer Domenico La Marca shared his insights. Here is an excerpt from the interview.
Was Napoli`s draw against Bologna a missed opportunity for them?
“Generally speaking, this matchday wasn`t favorable for Napoli, yet they maintained the same distance from Inter. Bologna is proving to be a tough opponent right now, and they demonstrated it again, especially in the second half. They played with great intensity, forcing Napoli to defend in their own half for most of the second 45 minutes.”
Overall, how do you assess Napoli`s performance?
“Napoli wasted a significant opportunity, particularly considering how the game unfolded after Anguissa`s fantastic goal. In the first half, there were chances to double the lead, which could have changed the game`s dynamic. However, Napoli didn`t capitalize on their ability to easily find Lukaku, whose knock-downs created situations that teammates could have exploited better. In the second half, Napoli dropped deeper, losing rhythm and intensity, failing to replicate their first-half build-up play. They only had a potential scoring chance in the final minutes, while Bologna appeared more energetic, despite their Coppa Italia commitment, taking control of the game and scoring the equalizer.”
What are your thoughts on this Bologna team that`s having an exceptional season?
“Credit must be given to Italiano and Bologna. The coach showed great determination in choosing the Emilian team in the summer. After Champions League qualification and the sales of Zirkzee and Calafiori, repeating that success seemed impossible, and many expected Bologna to struggle this season. Instead, after an initial settling-in period, where the club wisely showed faith in the coach, Italiano has built an effective and attractive team. They are in a strong position to potentially qualify for the Champions League again, which would be remarkable.”
How do you rate Ndoye`s performance?
“Ndoye had an outstanding game. His accelerations and movements troubled Napoli`s defense. His goal was beautifully crafted, showcasing his excellent technical skills as a winger. Ndoye has further matured this season thanks to Italiano`s guidance, particularly improving his finishing, a crucial aspect for an offensive winger.”
Do you believe the Scudetto dream is still alive for Napoli?
“On paper, the schedule looks favorable for Napoli, but ultimately, the fate of this league title remains in Inter`s hands. However, Inter still has challenging matches and is competing on multiple fronts. For Napoli, opportunities are dwindling with only seven games left. To keep their Scudetto dream alive, they need to shift gears, especially in away games where they haven`t won since January.”
How do you assess Juventus` performance against Roma?
“Juventus showed character at the Olimpico, delivering a solid and concrete performance against a Roma side in great form and highly motivated at home to potentially overtake Juventus in the standings. Credit to Tudor for shaking up the team environment. Character-wise, Juventus appeared courageous, even attempting to win after Roma`s equalizer. The upcoming match against Lecce is crucial for Juventus because there are direct clashes between other Champions League contenders. A Juventus victory would earn them valuable points over rivals at a critical point in the season.”
Has Antonio Conte already proven his worth considering his high salary?
“Conte is the best coach in Italy, a great choice for Napoli, but whether he justifies the club`s significant financial investment is debatable. He has certainly improved the players and led Napoli to compete for the Scudetto, but the financial decisions should be evaluated by those who made them.”