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| Reja: Where’s my Napoli? |
Monday 19 January, 2009 |
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Napoli Coach Edy Reja no longer recognises his team after they lost 2-1 to relegation battlers Chievo at the Stadio Bentegodi.
The Partenopei conceded two penalties, had Marek Hamsik sent off and were lucky not to suffer a heavier defeat as the referee disallowed two Chievo goals.
“We gave away two penalties that we should have avoided,” said Reja. “The whole thing did not go to plan. We never got into our stride. Napoli simply weren’t there in the first half.
“We did not concentrate at the back and mistook our approach to the match, giving too much time to our opponents.
“We have to be more lucid and clinical away from home. You cannot go on to the field and face Chievo without this mentality.”
Reja then turned to Hamsik’s red card, which rules the Slovakian international out of Napoli’s game with Roma next weekend.
“It’s not his fault that Napoli lost,” explained Reja. “Marek has played some great games for us this season. Unfortunately, it didn’t go that way today.”
Another ugly incident marred Napoli’s performance as striker German Denis reacted badly to being substituted early in the second half.
“I have to make decisions based on the best interests of the team. I saw my Napoli in difficulty and decided to substitute Denis for [Marcelo] Zalayeta.
“I did it for tactical motives, not for any other reason” insisted Reja. “Ask the club whether Denis will be fined, not me.”
Napoli drop one place to fifth as the first half of the season comes to a close. Genoa leapfrogged the Partenopei into fourth after their win in Lecce.
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