Slovakia, De Matteis: “Calzona doesn’t sleep at night because of Napoli’s results”

Paolo De Matteis, team manager of Slovakia, spoke to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli about the relationship with Calzona and beyond: “I live in Naples because my son still goes to school here and then to be close to Calzona. Ciccio willingly accepted the call from Napoli because he worked here with both Sarri and Spalletti. I think it was the right choice for Napoli, they needed a person who knew the environment and the locker room as well as the players. Only Mister Calzona was able to interpret that 4-3-3 that enchanted all of Italy last year. Napoli’s problem this year was first of all mental because it was unthinkable to see a similar involution also because only Kim was missing.

Today the offensive phase was rediscovered, previously Napoli no longer had a shot on goal and now they succeed. We need to intervene and turn the light back on a bit in the non-possession phase, there is no longer that bad reaggression as soon as you lose the ball. I was an eyewitness when Calzona was in the defensive phase during Sarri’s time, he was the one who gave instructions to the defenders and the team followed him. Koulibaly also often praised Calzona. Calzona is in Castel Volturno together with the staff from 8am to 8pm to analyze certain deficiencies. It would take the magic bullet to explain why these players had this short circuit in the defensive phase. I arrived in Naples with Benitez who brought to Naples the dribbling that the team was missing. Then Sarri raised the defensive line by twenty meters and it was a huge success. Calzona can’t sleep at night due to these defensive problems and there’s no explanation as to why they can’t bring home results against the weaker teams.

Lobotka? She is among the four strongest in the role, she is returning to last year’s levels. In the national team with us it is fundamental. Hanko? I don’t know if Napoli likes him, but I think he is a very strong player technically and athletically. He’s different from Kim, but in Feyenoord he plays as a centre-back and in our national team he also works as a full-back, scoring several assists and goals. He has a clean foot and is skilled in the air, then he is an intelligent boy. At Napoli I would see him well. The Europeans? We achieved a great achievement, we only lost against Portugal. We are proud and happy, but until May 26th Calzona’s mind is only for Napoli and he will try to do his best.”