Rudi Garcia spoke to the media after Napoli’s 1-2 defeat to Lazio on Saturday. Forza Napoli Press provides a complete transcript of the press conference in English.
You didn’t get off to a bad start, on the contrary, you created a lot, then you stretched out a bit for distances, a bit of a frenzy. The second half was a different Napoli, that suffered differently, but if you help us to read the game
Garcia: The first half was in our favor. We started the match very well, we had a strong first half, as we know how to play. The problem is, when you are so dominant, you have to score more than one goal and be ahead at half-time. Because we know that when you play against a team like this and that they have fast forwards, and that are also strong, quick on the counterattack, if you are behind on the scoreboard if in danger because both Immobile and Felipe Anderson will put you in a bit of trouble if you have too much open field. But we were much worse in the second half, we did much less, perhaps we went too fast to equalize when we had plenty of time. It must also be said that on the two for two of the Lazio goals, they had 100% effectiveness and well done to them. Obviously they came close to making it 3-1, but we framed too little and even so it was really possible to score the two-two [goal]. We still had the chance at the last moment but today was not our moment in this second half, both Juan Jesus and Lindstrom in the last one it was really possible to draw. Like I said to the boys, when you don’t know how to win, you have to know at least not to lose.
Coach, Sarri spoke first about the match. He said compared to last year Napoli stretched out a little more. He gave motivation to August football on the condition that it is difficult for all teams to have an optimal solution. Is that the only reason or did something else happen for Lazio’s 2-1 goal?
Garcia: I told you in the pre-match press conference, it’s not like were at 100% and everything is normal. We have players who aren’t at their best, Kvara couldn’t play 90 minutes but I liked his first half, like my team, and then it can happen, even if I’m sorry, we don’t have to accept this situation. But now what matters is the future. The future is, I hope, to have all my players who go to their national teams to return to 100%, at least physically. And then a marathon will begin where we will have to start it, above all, by winning the first of the seven games that await us in three weeks.
As for the second half, you said we wanted to equalize, we got a bit disunited. Was this the only problem or the fact of not being physically at the top as you said?
Garcia: No, I also think that usually whoever joins his team helps us a lot and instead my changes didn’t bring about great things. It’s not the fault of those who entered [the match] but it’s the fault of the team in general, which was not able to keep playing with the same rhythms or with the same precision as the first half. It is what it is, but let’s not throw everything away. We lost today but it remains a good start of the season. Obviously we hate suffering our first loss, but now the job is done. We must, above all, prepare as I said for the next one because when these days arrive, [of playing] every three days, at least those who entered today who had some playing time, I think of Mario Rui, I think of Jesper Lindstrom, In short, they also have the possibility to improve knowing that some who will play in the national team need it, some don’t. So let’s see.
Ansa – Let’s say about this second half two things that have remained a bit impressed upon us were the spaces that the midfield managed to give Lazio in the end, who were starting again, always found a lot of space, especially Anguissa, suddenly he didn’t seem to find his place and then tonight the defense, let’s say what, how many actions will Rrahmani and Juan Jesus review because tonight they didn’t know, we hadn’t seen them for a long time, they didn’t position themselves well
Garcia: Defensively, it isn’t always a question of the central defense division because they had done very well in the first two games. It’s a question of whether we defend in 11 and perhaps of being a little more aggressive to win some decisive duels like on the second goal, for example. And so, when you lose these duels and you give the opponent ammunition, you’re exposed. So the front line, then the midfield and then yes the defense, but really what we say concerns everyone, not just the centre-backs.
Il Mattino – What burns the most about this defeat?
Garcia: The fact that I lost the thread of the game a bit in the second half was the only thing I didn’t expect. There isn’t a single reason, the second goal perhaps hurt us psychologically. Physically maybe we were less brilliant, but a bit of everything. The flame could be rekindled on the chances we had in the second half but we didn’t score because we weren’t good enough to do it, just that. But for 45 minutes, [we were] a little worse. It’s not that it changes my life or the fact that the players work well, and therefore we will have a lot of satisfaction on the fact that the players work well and therefore we will show up in the future.
Napoli got off to a good start, even had a great start, but perhaps Osimhen was missing a bit. Sarri admitted that they tried a bit to get fewer balls. I ask you for your assessment of Osimhen’s match.
Garcia: He too, in the second half, was at the level of the team, all united in the second half. And in the first, it’s not like he had sensational situations, the others had, but he’s always a burden for the opposing defense. He requires the attention of the two central players and also makes space for the others. In fact, we had these enormous situations, I also think about Olivera’s 5-meter shot from goal on a cross from di Lorenzo, it means that he is ambitious and offensive, or we were. But it’s true, and I will say it, in the second half, none of my players was up to his level and the general level of the usual team.
I wanted to ask you about the pace that was a little lower than in the second half, is it only due to a somewhat physiological drop in the team or was there something else?
Garcia: No, no, as I have already said, a little psychological of having conceded a second goal on Lazio’s second shot, they created little in the first half. Then a bit of physical, yes maybe, and then a bit of a rush to equalize. Then as I said, we had plenty of time to do it. Lazio’s second goal came early and therefore we had to be calm and take the time to build in our actions. Instead, we didn’t do it enough. Even so, it was possible to draw but since we didn’t, it’s only our fault, it’s my fault.
I’m telling you the truth, we come from Rome, but I saw a Napoli who, in terms of quantity and quality of play, will continue to be the team to beat this year. Perhaps this thing we have seen is even more valuable than a great victory by Lazio. If we were in Rome, we could say that we have brought the church back to the center of the village (the colleagues from Napoli will not understand)
Garcia: But you have to congratulate Lazio, obviously. However, they also found themselves in the conditions that this team likes. They had one shot in the first half and scored, and therefore went ahead, but we were good at equalizing quickly. Then the same thing happened in the second half. First shot of the second half, first goal. They scored the second, but we weren’t good at equalizing. And then, as I said, this team, who has fast players, Zaccagni, Immobile, Felipe Anderson, it is normal for them to have a little more field if they do well. We had to take risks but I am not disappointed that we took these risks and tried until the end to equalize. We’re sorry we didn’t [equalize], we just have to accept that sometimes there’s a little bit of everything mixed up that doesn’t go your way and that’s football, even without the church.
I ask out of curiosity if, compared to the Lazio you knew, this Lazio has grown as a club and as a team and also a few words on Guendouzi who has just arrived at Lazio. How much can he give to this team and how much can he give to Italian football?
Garcia: I can answer since I know him and he’s French. He’s a good player, a good signing from Lazio. On the rest, I was away from Italy for seven years I believe, so I can’t say what has changed at the club. You have to be here to know how they developed. Obviously they had pressure on them with zero points in two games and they were good at being compact and playing on the counterattack. We fell into this trap a bit, even though we knew about it. It’s also part of my growth to manage these situations.
