Former Napoli striker and current Sky Sports commentator Fabio Quagliarella shared his insights on Napoli’s current form and their upcoming match against Udinese. The fixture holds special significance for Neapolitans, as it was in Udine that Napoli clinched their first post-Maradona Scudetto 590 days ago.
Addressing Napoli’s recent goal-scoring struggles, Quagliarella offered a calm perspective to Gazzetta dello Sport: “Sometimes we worry unnecessarily. I believe it’s just a phase that happens to all teams during a season. There are periods when scoring becomes difficult. Some players might not be at 100%, others might be experiencing a dip in form. But I wouldn’t fret about it. The wheel turns, and Napoli is still up there. There’s no need to worry.”
When asked about Napoli’s tactical shifts and their impact on offensive mechanisms, Quagliarella acknowledged the challenges: “It’s understandable. They need to review mechanisms, oil this new solution. Kvaratskhelia’s injury will complicate things, but it’s not set in stone. Maybe Neres will play more and score some extra goals, providing something different to ignite Lukaku. That’s the life of a striker – it takes a moment to unblock, and then you start scoring continuously.”
Regarding Romelu Lukaku’s recent form, Quagliarella defended the Belgian striker: “Knowing Conte, that’s a play sometimes forced to avoid high pressure from opponents, hoping he can hold the ball and allow the team to push up. But not being at his best, he might lose some balls. When a player makes mistakes, he can lose confidence during a match. Clearly, Napoli isn’t functioning as it did at the start; some situations have become complicated. But let’s not forget that Lukaku remains a great player.”
On how to help Lukaku regain his form, Quagliarella emphasized the importance of support from teammates: “To make Romelu effective again, he needs the right service from his teammates. If they can provide him with quality balls in the right areas, he will find his rhythm again. The life of an attacker is about confidence; once you score one goal, it can lead to many more.”
Quagliarella also praised Antonio Conte’s impact on the team: “You can see it in the intensity and physical endurance. Conte is relentless; he lives every situation with passion. You always see him on the sideline giving instructions and calling for passes. Everyone tries to do their best; they follow him, and it shows on the pitch.”
On Napoli’s ambitions for the season, Quagliarella remained optimistic: “Napoli is right there; one defeat doesn’t change their strengths. Why shouldn’t they believe? Knowing the manager’s mentality, who never gives up, they’ll stay attached to the top teams’ train and fight for every point. Obviously with an eye on the Champions League spot but with the intention of staying in contention until the end. And then we’ll see what happens.”
When discussing Udinese’s current form and their approach to the game, Quagliarella noted: “Udinese is doing well; they have their ups and downs but are always competitive. They will come into this match with confidence after recent performances. It’s crucial for Napoli to be ready for a tough battle.”
Quagliarella concluded by emphasizing the importance of quality in football: “Quality is always needed; it makes the difference in tight matches. A corner kick taken in a certain way or a well-placed free kick can change everything. You always win with quality.”
