Mazzarri blames ´incidents´ for shock loss

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri feels his team were hard done by after going down 2-1 away to Catania in Serie A.

With Tuesday’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich a priority, Mazzarri made five changes from the line-up that defeated high-flying Udinese 2-0 last Wednesday.

Despite the alterations, visitors Napoli led through Edinson Cavani’s goal in the first minute of Saturday’s match at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

Giovanni Marchese took advantage of confusion in the box to strike the equaliser on 25 minutes.

And Napoli were down to 10 men when Mario Santana received a second yellow card for a seemingly fair challenge.

Gonzalo Bergessio later netted the winner for Catania, leaving Mazzarri to bemoan his team’s ill-fortune.

“The match was decided by incidents,” he said.

“The lads played their best away performance of the season and gave their all, but it just wasn’t our day. We have to continue along this path.”

“Now we look ahead to Bayern, as the Napoli going to Munich will be one eager to achieve something special.”

Mazzarri appeared to reject the assertion his changes proved damaging to Napoli’s chances.

“Did it penalise the team? You tell me,” he said when asked about team selection.

“It’s a shame, as before the red card Santana was doing quite well and Catania didn’t threaten.”

The coach also claimed his recent reluctance to engage with the media was a result of prioritising the team’s preparation ahead of press commitments.

“We have a tough schedule, with matches every two days,” he said.

“My job is to make sure the team are ready.”

“Had we won today’s match I would have had (assistant coaches) (Alberto) Bigon or (Mario) Frustalupi face the media.”

“I will face the press any time we underperform. It’s all very well when you’re on top. My prime interest is with the game but, I have to say, it doesn’t seem to interest everyone.”