Di Canio explains Napoli’s weakness vs Genoa and warns of ‘Inter ghost’ | OneFootball

Paolo Di Canio has a clear view on what held Napoli back against Genoa in a crucial Scudetto clash that saw the Partenopei drop two vital points, allowing Inter to close the gap at the top of Serie A to just one.

The league leaders twice let a one-goal lead slip on Sunday, with the Grifone managing to equalise both times — in ways uncharacteristic of Napoli’s usually solid defence.

epa12092720 Napoli’s head coach Antonio Conte during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs CF Genoa at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, 11 May 2025. EPA-EFE/CESARE ABBATE

Di Canio: Napoli can’t score 4 or five goals, centre-back injuries key

“From midfield forward, Napoli did what they’ve been doing all season,” Di Canio told Sky Calcio Club analysing the match.

“It’s not a team that can score four or five goals. They got their two.

“But they conceded their first two headed goals of the season. Especially the one at the end, which came from that area where the centre-backs were missing, where Olivera was positioned.

“So something needs to be adjusted — they have to be more aggressive out wide. Of course, it’s not easy at the end of a match, especially when the cross comes from the edge of the final third — it was a well-whipped ball.”

Forced to improvise at the back due to injuries to Alessandro Buongiorno and Juan Jesus—both out for the rest of the season—Napoli had to rely on left-back Matias Olivera as a makeshift centre-back.

NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 11: Billy Gilmour during the Serie A match between Napoli and Genoa at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 11, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Di Canio also pointed to the psychological factor, suggesting that with Inter now breathing down their necks just one point behind, the pressure could impact the calm and composure with which Antonio Conte’s side approaches their final two matches.

“Now, after seeing that Inter side, it’s as if Napoli are seeing a ghost,” the former Lazio star continued.

“And when you go into a one-off final with that kind of fear, you get stage fright.”