Di Lorenzo: ‘Napoli struggle with consistency, I was forced to go off’
NAPLES, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 09: Giovanni Di Lorenzo of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Giovanni Di Lorenzo confirms he was ‘forced’ to come off for Napoli at half-time in the 2-0 defeat to Juventus, but was glad to reunite with his old coach Luciano Spalletti.
The captain and Kevin De Bruyne went off at half-time with injuries, the Belgium international turning his ankle, and the team never quite stepped up the performance in the same way.
Di Lorenzo suffers new Napoli setback
“We have many games weighing on us and I was forced to go off, which disappointed me, as I really wanted to keep going,” Di Lorenzo told DAZN Italia.
“We had that big chance to take the lead with Lucca, but we were unable to maintain the same level after the restart and the game slowly drifted into Juve’s hands. It’s a pity, because this is a blow for our position in the table and we are falling behind.”
Napoli are eight points worse off than at this stage last season, when after 10 rounds they were alone in first place, and currently sit in eighth position alongside Bologna.
“I think we are lacking consistency, because we have some really good performances and alternate them with negative ones, while even over the course of 90 minutes we struggle to stay at the same level. We have to stay united and try to improve our position in the table.”
Stanislav Lobotka, Benoit Badiashile, Leonardo Spinazzola, David Neres, Alisson Santos, Costantino Favasuli and Alessandro Buongiorno were already out of action, and they seemed to be fatigued after the midweek 4-1 win over Monza with very little room for squad rotation.
“If we are in this situation, then we all have to raise the bar. We are aware it’s a tough moment and we’re trying to work hard to improve, but the results are deficient right now. The team will do everything to turn it around.”
There was a reunion with Juventus boss Spalletti, who won the Scudetto with Di Lorenzo at Napoli in 2023.
“He asked me how my family was doing, I have a strong rapport with the coach, we had two incredible years together at Napoli with the Scudetto, and I will always remember him with pleasure,” concluded the defender.
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