Napoli Bitterness Persists After Atalanta Loss, Politano Says

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Napoli approach their Serie A trip to Verona still feeling the impact of the Atalanta defeat, yet Matteo Politano insists the squad continue to work at full intensity as they defend a four-point lead over Juventus in the race for a Champions League place.

The 2-1 loss against Atalanta left Napoli third in the table, 14 points behind Inter, and extended their winless streak in all competitions to three matches, with two draws and one defeat, further tightening pressure before travelling to bottom side Verona.

Napoli’s anger grew after the Atalanta match because a potential equaliser was cancelled, with Rasmus Hojlund judged to have fouled Isak Hien, a decision later described as incorrect by refereeing chief Dino Tommasi, adding another layer of frustration inside a squad already dealing with injuries.

Politano openly discussed that feeling but stressed commitment remains unchanged, telling Radio Crc: "There's still bitterness," Politano told Radio Crc. "There's a lot of disappointment over the Atalanta result, because we played a great first half, and in the second half, we scored another goal that was disallowed due to an error. We accept the decision and try to move forward. We always try to give our best, even in difficult times. In terms of commitment, we've always given everything."

Politano also highlighted how a long injury list has limited Napoli’s potential this season, saying: "The injuries weigh heavily because there have been so many absences, and it's a great disappointment;we've never used our full squad," Politano added. "We could have had more points, and that's why there's disappointment, but I think those who have been here gave their all, all year. That's why we're still there, fighting for a Champions League spot. It will be difficult because there are so many strong teams, but we are strong too."

Verona sit last in Serie A on 15 points, nine adrift of safety, and have gone 11 league games without winning, drawing three and losing eight, though they did claim a 2-2 draw away to Napoli in the reverse fixture on January 7, showing they can still trouble stronger opposition.

Napoli vs Verona Serie A players to watch

Daniel Mosquera remains a focus for Verona, as the forward has failed to score in 18 Serie A appearances this season and is seeking a breakthrough, with all five of Mosquera’s previous league goals for Verona arriving as a substitute, including a debut brace against Napoli on 18 August 2024.

On the Napoli side, Politano has a strong record against Verona in Serie A, contributing two goals and four assists, with only meetings against AC Milan bringing more goal involvements, yet among players still without a league goal this season, only Jesus Rodriguez with 37 has attempted more shots than Politano’s 34.

Napoli vs Verona Serie A match prediction and statistics

Historical trends hint at a close contest, as Verona and Napoli could draw both their Serie A clashes in the same campaign for only the third time, after the 1971-72 and 1972-73 seasons, following the 2-2 scoreline in their January encounter.

Napoli, however, have avoided defeat in nine of the last 10 league meetings with Hellas Verona, winning five and drawing four, with the Gialloblu’s only success in that sequence coming in August 2024 at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, a 3-0 win that marked Antonio Conte’s first Serie A match in charge of Napoli.

That result offers Verona hope of securing successive home league victories against Napoli for the first time since a run between 1997 and 2001, while Napoli’s form on the road this season shows nine defeats from 18 away fixtures in all competitions, compared with only one campaign in the previous 16 years with at least 10 away losses, when they suffered 11 in 28 trips in 2014-15.

Conte’s current side risk losing two Serie A matches in a row for the first time under the coach after the Atalanta setback, with the last instance of consecutive league defeats for Napoli dating back to December 2023, yet the reigning champions are expected to overcome Genoa on Sunday according to projections.

OPTA’s model rates a Napoli victory as the likeliest outcome in Verona, reflecting both the league positions and the visitors’ stronger head-to-head record in recent years.

With Napoli defending a narrow advantage in the Champions League race and Verona fighting to avoid relegation, both clubs enter this Serie A match under heavy pressure, yet Politano’s message of resilience, combined with the statistical edge highlighted by OPTA, places expectation firmly on Napoli to respond positively despite recent setbacks.