{"id":8973,"date":"2025-04-08T04:15:25","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T04:15:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/stellini-napoli-must-keep-intensity-going-in-2nd-half-if-we-are-to-dream-of-victory\/"},"modified":"2025-04-08T04:15:26","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T04:15:26","slug":"stellini-napoli-must-keep-intensity-going-in-2nd-half-if-we-are-to-dream-of-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/stellini-napoli-must-keep-intensity-going-in-2nd-half-if-we-are-to-dream-of-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Stellini: ‘Napoli must keep intensity going in 2nd half if we are to dream ‘ of victory"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"epa12016681<\/picture><\/div>\n

epa12016681 Napoli’s assistant coach Cristian Stellini gestures during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna FC and SSC Napoli, in Bologna, Italy, 07 April 2025. EPA-EFE\/SERENA CAMPANINI<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Antonio Conte\u2019s assistant manager Cristian Stellini admits Napoli \u2018lacked something\u2019 in the second half of their 1-1 draw with Bologna. \u2018If we can learn to keep the same intensity, we can dream.\u2019<\/p>\n

It was a difficult build-up at the Stadio Dall\u2019Ara, because Conte sat out a touchline ban, then Alex Meret pulled out with flu symptoms and Alessandro Buongiorno had muscular issues, so there were some last-minute changes to the starting XI.<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, Napoli had the better of the first half and took the lead with an Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa solo run from midfield, shrugging off challenges to deposit into an empty net.<\/p>\n

Bologna dominated after the break, pinning the Partenopei back and drawing level through the spectacular Dan Ndoye back-heel flick.<\/p>\n

Stellini saw Napoli lose their way at the Dall\u2019Ara<\/h2>\n
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epa12016679 Napoli\u2019s assistant coach Cristian Stellini looks on during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna FC and SSC Napoli, in Bologna, Italy, 07 April 2025. EPA-EFE\/SERENA CAMPANINI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIt was a very good first half, we had prepared an aggressive approach with a lot of movement and intensity, which we did very well,\u201d Napoli assistant manager Stellini told DAZN.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter the break, we certainly lacked something, perhaps we focused more on defending than attacking, so when you lose the momentum in this atmosphere against a team in Bologna\u2019s form, it is a struggle to get that back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were no longer able to play, we are a team who has to raise the tempo and press high. If we don\u2019t do that, we cannot make an impact on the match. We must improve in terms of mentality and the desire to play the ball.<\/p>\n

\u201cBologna pressed hard and we didn\u2019t move with the same quality as in the first half. We lost our shape, the passes for Romelu Lukaku were much longer than in the first half and were therefore easier to defend against. Bologna deserve credit for forcing us out of shape and forcing those errors.\u201d<\/p>\n

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epa12016577 Napoli\u2019s Frank Anguissa (L) celebrates with his teammate Scott McTominay after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna FC and SSC Napoli, in Bologna, Italy, 07 April 2025. EPA-EFE\/SERENA CAMPANINI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Scott McTominay also hobbled off with a knock, making way for Billy Gilmour, while Giovanni Di Lorenzo was booked and will be suspended against Empoli.<\/p>\n

\u201cMcTominay had a bruise to his thigh and hip, so he was struggling to run and felt pain. Buongiorno was warming up because if we needed him, we had to be sure he was able to play. We hope his muscular issue can be resolved for the next game, but we had to keep him warm today just in case,\u201d explained Stellini.<\/p>\n

A win here would\u2019ve closed the gap at the top to one point after Inter fumbled a 2-0 lead for their 2-2 draw with Parma, but instead it remains intact at three points.<\/p>\n

At the same time, a victory was a big ask considering Bologna were coming into this game off six consecutive victories between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, with the chance to leapfrog Atalanta into third place.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to fight for something important, but must also be aware that we started the season aiming to finish in the top four, so today\u2019s point is important to keep that objective going of the top four,\u201d concluded Stellini.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we keep improving in our mentality, learn to keep the same intensity, quality and tempo in the second half of our games too, then we can keep dreaming.\u201d<\/p>\n