Maurizio Sarri believes Napoli are only lacking “a bit of luck” after a 1-1 draw with Milan, but admits there is fatigue.
The Partenopei have just one point from their last three competitive games, their worst run since September.
“What were we missing in these three matches? A bit of luck,” he told Mediaset Premium and Sky Sport Italia.
Maurizio Sarri believes Napoli are only lacking “a bit of luck” after a 1-1 draw with Milan, but admits there is fatigue.
The Partenopei have just one point from their last three competitive games, their worst run since September.
“What were we missing in these three matches? A bit of luck,” he told Mediaset Premium and Sky Sport Italia.
“Our game against Juventus was completely different, as there were very few chances for either side. Tonight both teams created opportunities, there are regrets that we ended the first half on level terms, because Milan barely got the ball.
“Their equaliser was also clearly affected by an earlier foul on Elseid Hysaj. We got irritable, hit the upright and tried everything with a 4-2-4 that could’ve been very risky, but this was a night where we had to take a few risks.
“I’m sorry that we didn’t win for the fans, as they were spectacular tonight. We tried everything. I saw movement off the ball and more chances created, so it was an improvement in terms of performance.”
Gonzalo Higuain failed to score for two Serie A games in a row for the first time this season.
“I think this is normal. A player cannot be at 100 per cent for 10 months. It’s physiologically impossible. Lately we had left the centre-forward a bit too isolated, so we decided to put more crosses in from the wings.
“We were facing Milan, not some provincial side, so forcing them to play the entire game in defence was good. We had eight chances to one, yet it ended 1-1.
“We’re not very lucky at the moment, but if the team continues to play like this then the results have to come.”
Is there anxiety over the Scudetto, as Napoli are unaccustomed to being up there?
“Unfortunately it’s a physiological issue. A man cannot be at peak fitness for longer than a certain period. The important thing is to maintain a good level and keep it in the area of 95 per cent.
“At the moment we have players who are at 95 per cent and they happen to be the ones who tend to make the difference.
“The team was irritable at the equaliser, but it was a reaction to an incident, not for anything else.”
Fiorentina have closed the gap on Napoli to five points and next week those two sides face off. Is Sarri looking more to Juve in front or the Viola over their shoulders?
“We are not looking ahead or behind. We look at ourselves.”