In the radio program "Maracanà" on TMW Radio, the president of Napoli, Luigi DeCanio, expressed his opinion on the recent negative result against Villarreal in the Champions League. According to DeCanio, the Neapolitan team had started the match with great vigor, controlling the game and appearing ready to score, but the equalizer suffered at the end of the first half had a profound psychological impact. "It's not about physical or athletic factors, because the match was still in the first 30 minutes. It was a drop in motivation and confidence that made the team give in to the opponent," he declared.
The president underlined that Napoli needs a structural "refoundation". "The club has made mistakes in recent years and, in my opinion, a cycle is over. It is necessary to renew the motivation and psychological conditions of the players," he added. DeCanio also noted that if Giacomo DiLorenzo and Lorenzo Politano were to change environments, the club could regain the form it has needed in the past. “Sometimes the context itself can make us used to the results already achieved, and this reduces the determination of a team that has to prove that it is competitive again.”
In the broader context of Serie A, DeCanio highlighted that the team is not low-level, but that modern football requires new motivation and a strong sense of self-esteem. “The players are top-level professionals, but their determination has been undermined by the lack of challenge,” he explained. The interviewee also expressed confidence in the fact that, with a change of environment, the two players mentioned could return to giving their best.
Regarding technical management, DeCanio cited an episode of communication with a player, underlining that often on the pitch it can happen that a message is not immediately understood due to the "competitive trance". However, he reiterated that the relationship with the players is solid and that any misunderstandings are simply misunderstandings. “The relationship with the players is impeccable; I manage to gain their respect and create an excellent feeling,” he said.
In summary, Luigi DeCanio highlighted the need for a psychological and structural renewal of Napoli after the defeat against Villarreal. The president called for a new motivational impetus and suggested that a change of environment for some key players could be key to returning the team to higher levels of performance. The club will now have to work on these points to return to competing at its best in both Serie A and the Champions League.