‘No difference between Garcia and him’ – Mazzarri under fire after Napoli draw with Monza

Walter Mazzarri has been widely criticised by the Italian press after Napoli’s hopeless 0-0 draw with Monza.

The defending champions were in the driving seat for their clash with the Biancorossi at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, but their dominance did not translate into goals, and they were ultimately lucky to escape with a point after Alex Meret saved a penalty in the 68^th minute.

It was the third disappointing result in a row for Mazzarri’s Napoli, who haven’t scored since their 2-1 win over Cagliari back on December 16. Pressure has now started to mount on the Italian coach, who was tasked with securing a top four finish when he took over from Rudi Garcia last month.

La Gazzetta dello Sport were scathing in their review of Mazzarri’s work in Napoli’s draw with Monza, suggesting there were little differences compared to his predecessor Rudi Garcia, writing: “Between Garcia’s Napoli and his there are no noticeable differences from any point of view, running, aggressiveness, game ideas. The team are frayed, they don’t seem solid, and this is a serious fault for a coach.”

Corriere dello Sport were no more impressed than their Milanese counterparts, looking at the underlying numbers of the Partenopei’s draw with Monza, commenting: “Four colossal chances, 25 shots (19 in the area, nine on target) and 58.3% possession.

“Yet it will be said that it was Meret who saved Napoli from the sixth defeat of his management, the third in a row, by saving the penalty. A dominant but blocked team, very tense, incapable of scoring, five behind the ball.

“And Cholito entered in the 85th minute, a paradox. Walter will miss Toro as a former coach due to disqualification, but perhaps he avoided it in Kvara.”

Mazzarri’s ratings in the Italian newspapers

La Gazzetta dello Sport: 4.5

Corriere dello Sport: 5

Tuttosport: 5.5