Ivano Trotta, a coach and former player for Napoli and Juve, spoke to “1 Football Club”, a radio program hosted by Luca Cerchione on 1 Station Radio. Below is an excerpt from the interview:
Q: You previously stated that you believed Tudor was just a temporary solution. After the defeat against Parma, do you still feel that way?
A: In my opinion, Juventus`s problems are much deeper than just the coach. The club made significant choices, giving Giuntoli a lot of authority, aiming for Thiago Motta, but as of today, none of that has worked out. Now, with Tudor, things might change, but the defeat in Parma, while not normal, doesn`t surprise me much. This loss will negatively impact their race for a Champions League spot; those are three crucial points Juventus will miss. Furthermore, Bologna, Lazio, Fiorentina, and Roma all won, so it`s not a stumble that brings any benefit, not even morally. I don`t think they believed they had solved all their problems, but it seemed like they were on the right track. This defeat strongly puts everything into question.
Q: Simone Inzaghi has lost two trophies this year. Should he scale back his ambitions or continue pursuing them?
A: That`s the beauty, but also the harshness, of football. Up until two weeks ago, when Inter eliminated Bayern, people were still talking about a potential treble. Now that`s no longer the case, as they`ve also exited the Coppa Italia. Yesterday`s defeat changes everything: now the talk is, at best, about a double. Paradoxically, as Mourinho used to say, Inter risks ending the season with `zeru tituli` (zero trophies), and that would be a real disaster. These are defeats they aren`t used to, so managing the mental aspect will be a test. Especially since Roma, their next league opponent, isn`t as weak as some thought.
Q: If Milan always played against Inter, they`d be title contenders. Not everything was bad before, but things aren`t perfect now either. Do you agree?
A: I agree. This season, the only thing worth saving for Milan are the derbies. For the rest, considering the January transfer window as well, the season has been below expectations, especially given what they were truly capable of. Perhaps it`s too easy to prepare for a derby, which generates its own motivation and ambition. Conceicao`s concrete touch hasn`t been seen. And if we look at what Fonseca has done since being sacked, perhaps the problem at Milan wasn`t him. In fact, the issue with teams is typically never just the coach, even though they are the first to pay the price.
Q: For the final sprint, Antonio Conte will also be without the injured David Neres, after Kvaratskhelia was let go in January. Do Napoli`s Scudetto chances decrease?
A: It certainly complicates the choices for the upcoming decisive matches. But Napoli is in a position where they can only focus on themselves: winning their games and, worst-case scenario, fighting for everything in the playoff against Inter. Until a few weeks ago, that seemed like a remote possibility, but now it`s concrete. It`s true, between injuries and failed operations in January, the defense is also in full emergency. Let`s not forget that Juan Jesus has played over 15 games this year; that wasn`t planned. Conte was good, but Juan Jesus also deserves praise for how he performed. The same goes for Mazzocchi, who always responded well when called upon. Today, you have to think game by game: if winning it with Spalletti was an achievement, winning the Scudetto with Conte—after last year and with all these difficulties—would be something unrepeatable.
Q: Was Mr. Conte left a bit too isolated by the club?
A: I wouldn`t say abandoned, but he has a strong personality that often leads him to be isolated. When you clash with strong temperaments, it`s difficult to get along for an entire season. However, I don`t think he was abandoned, at least not by the players, which is the most important thing. The club, in my opinion, achieved its stated goal: returning to the Champions League. The president, in his mind, considers the cycle almost complete. If they were to also win the Scudetto, everyone would be happy.
Q: At the moment, whose communication style is better: that of De Laurentiis, who tries to calm things down, or the more fiery approach of Mr. Conte?
A: Uncomfortable question… but a good one. In my opinion, both did their duty: Conte shook up the dressing room and environment with strong statements, while De Laurentiis did well to act as a firefighter. Furthermore, he boosted morale by saying that the sports center will be ready by September. They interpreted their roles perfectly.