ROMA —
Napoli’s title defense has gone from bad to worse. The club’s third coach this season apologized to the fans.
Napoli took another blow on Saturday, losing 1-0 to relegation-threatened Empoli.
The defeat left Napoli in eighth position, 34 points behind Inter Milan, leader of Serie A, and in danger of not qualifying for any European tournament, with only five dates left.
“At this moment, we need to work on our pride, more than on tactics,” said coach Francesco Calzona. “I want to apologize to the Napoli fans.”
Alberto Cerri scored with a header in the fourth minute for Empoli, which moved four points above the relegation zone.
Napoli’s only shot on goal came midway through the second half, when Kvicha Kvaratskhelia eluded two defenders and fired. Goalkeeper Elia Caprile deflected the ball.
“Empoli played with ferocity. We came out soft and timid,” Calzona lamented. “It is inconceivable, but it is my responsibility. Obviously, I did not convey the desire to give everything.”
Napoli have struggled all season and simply haven’t found the form that led the Partenopei to their first Italian league title in nearly three decades.
The Neapolitan squad has won just three of nine Serie A games since February, when Calzona replaced Walter Mazzarri. He won four of 12 duels under Mazzarri and six of 12 with Rudi García, hired after the departure of Luciano Spalletti, who won the title the previous season.
Later, Hellas Verona beat Udinese 1-0, with a header from Diego Coppola. It was a duel between teams that started the day one point above the relegation zone.