Matteo Politano contends that Napoli has undergone a significant transformation following their resounding 6-1 victory over Sassuolo, attributing it to Francesco Calzona’s influence and the return of Victor Osimhen. Politano remarked, “We had lost our self-belief.”
The resurgence of the Partenopei became evident as, despite conceding an early goal from Uros Racic against the flow of play, they proceeded to dominate the match at the Mapei Stadium.
Amir Rrahmani leveled the score, followed by a hat-trick from Victor Osimhen and two goals from Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, culminating in a comprehensive 6-1 victory.
Reflecting on the win, Politano emphasized its significance, stating, “We knew it was fundamental… I think we proved today that we are a strong squad.” He lamented the points dropped in previous matches but expressed optimism for the future, highlighting the importance of the team’s mentality and confidence.
This triumph marked the first under the stewardship of new coach Calzona, succeeding 1-1 draws against Barcelona and Cagliari. Osimhen’s return from the Africa Cup of Nations has seen him netting five goals in three games, including his second Serie A brace, with the other instance coincidentally against Sassuolo.
Politano acknowledged the challenges of the season, including the departure of Walter Mazzarri upon Osimhen’s return, noting Calzona’s familiarity with several players from his prior stints with Sarri and Spalletti.
With Napoli now level with Lazio on 40 points in eighth place, albeit distant from Champions League qualification, Politano remains hopeful, recognizing the potential of key players like Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia to propel the team forward.