Politano: Napoli lack the ruthlessness to close out games

Napoli's draw in Florence has left a mark on the dressing room's mood. Vice-captain Matteo Politano summed up the team's problem in the press conference: "We lack the ruthlessness in front of goal, otherwise you don't take games home." It is a line that carries as much weight as the scoreline: Napoli had gone ahead through Billy Gilmour in the 23rd minute, set up by Politano himself, only to be pegged back in the second half.

Gilmour, who scored the opening goal, struck a different tone with Dazn: "A point is definitely good enough before the break, but we wanted to take more home." He said he was "very happy" to have helped the team with the corner routine that led to the goal, a routine Politano confirmed was designed by Landucci.

Same story, different tones

The two readings sit side by side but describe the same thing: the team found the lead with a clean piece of play and then failed to protect it. Allegri and Politano frame it their own way, demanding more bite going forward, but the real weakness in this draw was not the goal Napoli scored — it was the one they conceded just as the second half began.