They’re the comeback kings, but Susy Campanale wonders how Walter Mazzarri’s men will react when the situation isn't desperate
Rarely has a change of management mid-season been so immediately successful. Roberto Donadoni’s sheepish demeanour and insistence on being satisfied with mediocre displays made way for the volcanic Walter Mazzarri. In all four games in charge, his Napoli have scored last-gasp goals to snatch a result, trailing by one or even two goals in three of them. Their spirit is admirable and determination impressive, but where does it come from?
Mazzarri is an intriguing figure. Left unemployed over the summer when his deal ended with Sampdoria, he is known for getting teams out of dire straits or battling against the odds. Most famously he took Livorno to their first promotion in over 30 years and kept Reggina in Serie A despite starting the campaign with a post-Calciopoli 11-point deduction. He excels in motivating a squad that feels under pressure, to keep believing when all others have given up.
That is very evident in Napoli’s completely different attitude when going behind. Whereas before they panicked and retreated into their shells, now the Partenopei roll up their sleeves and go on the attack. Against Milan they fought back from 2-0 down in three minutes, while away to Juventus they bagged three in 23 to turn the game around completely.
On Mazzarri’s debut Napoli were trailing 1-0 at home to Bologna, jeered mercilessly by the crowd, but Fabio Quagliarella and a stoppage-time Christian Maggio strike snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Even the 1-0 win in Florence was only achieved after Sebastien Frey had saved a penalty.
For someone so accustomed to battling the odds, what will Mazzarri do when his team are the favourites and need to take the initiative? Can he keep relying on a slap in the face to wake the side up? There was a hint of that at Sampdoria last season, when they stuttered to a series of stalemates. Is he ultimately a Coach only for desperate times or can he instil the same character from the kick-off?
