⏰ LAST CHANCE. Napoli in Empoli have no alternative to victory if they still want to chase their Champions League dream

Here is what Il Mattino writes: “Six days to the end of a terrible season, yet Napoli is one step away from the Europe of the poor (well, at least the Europa League or the Conference cannot escape also because five Italians will enjoy the Champions) and sighs at the idea of ​​Roma (or Atalanta) winning the cup. Because in that case, even sixth place would qualify for the SuperChampions. An almost unexpected dream to hold on to. But what should Napoli be pushed to do 18 points in the next six races: the minimum wage to make up for this absurd year. Then we’ll see what happens. Will this prospect be able to shake Napoli? Ciccio Calzona returns to the old field where he grew up together with maestro Sarri (by the way, he is thinking about going to the stadium this evening). The defense against stomach aches is in full emergency, but it was known. The two disqualified players, Rrahmani and Mario Rui, will be replaced by Ostigard and Mazzocchi. For the rest, everything remains unchanged. Even Cajuste and Traoré, who were also champing at the bit, will still have to make room for Anguissa and Zielinski. Who knows, if it’s the right move. Calzona is chasing victory to give meaning to a season finale where he must finish at least seventh. Not an easy task: create a mission between now and the end of May that only a victory tonight against Empoli can provide. The Italian coach explained that the only things that matter are “the present and the facts”, that “there is no need to make calculations or tables”. Now it remains to be seen whether the team will react to this week’s stimulation and the horrible draw with Frosinone. The environment appears a bit resigned, with a defense that is always wavering and an attack in the hands of Osimhen who is another one with a hysterical performance. Calzona certainly didn’t think it was that hard when he said yes to the double role. The future suddenly looks less sullen: it is a ghostly season but one which, given how Atalanta, Fiorentina and Roma travel in Europe, can still acquire a rounded meaning. But only in case of victory this afternoon. Calzona knows he has few means to send a signal to the group of young men (and less young men) so prone to sudden collapses that he has to handle: he can’t do more than make them train two hours a day. He is still furious about the ending on the threshold of last Sunday’s harakiri, in which above all the brain was missing. So the speeches to the team were at a minimum, as were the comparisons or who knows what. Moreover, the use of methods inspired by the good old school teachers, those who beat the fingers, does not seem to be what Calzona is inspired by. Also because we are out of time. De Laurentiis didn’t show up, only on the phone.”