A deep dive into Napoli’s post-title decline in Serie A 2024/25. What went wrong after the historic championship win?
Napoli’s Struggles After Their Title-Winning Campaign in Serie A
After lifting their first Serie A title in over three decades in the 2022/23 season, many expected Napoli to usher in a new era of domestic dominance. With a fluid attacking system, a well-balanced squad, and stars like Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Partenopei looked poised to remain at the top of Italian football.
However, just a season later, Napoli finds themselves languishing in mid-table, out of the title race, and searching for answers. Their fall from grace has shocked fans and analysts alike. So what went wrong? How did a title-winning side lose its rhythm so quickly? And what does this tell us about the volatile nature of success in the Aw8 Pro?
This article dissects the key issues behind Napoli’s post-title decline in the 2024/25 Serie A season — from tactical instability and key departures to managerial changes and the psychological toll of success.
From Champions to Chasers: A Drastic Decline in Form
The contrast between Napoli’s performances this season and last is stark.
2022/23 (Title Season):
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Goals Scored: 77
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Goals Conceded: 28
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Points: 90
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League Finish: 1st
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Longest Unbeaten Run: 15 games
2024/25 (Current Season):
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Goals Scored (Matchday 28): 41
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Goals Conceded: 37
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Points: 45
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League Position: 7th
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Longest Winning Run: 3 games
The statistics highlight a team that is less consistent, less dangerous in attack, and more vulnerable defensively — a dangerous combination in a league that punishes mediocrity.
Managerial Instability: The Root of Tactical Confusion
One of the biggest turning points came shortly after the Scudetto triumph — Luciano Spalletti, the mastermind behind Napoli’s title-winning season, announced his departure. In his place came Rudi Garcia, whose reign was short-lived and turbulent.
Garcia struggled to implement a cohesive strategy, and results quickly deteriorated. A lack of tactical identity, questionable substitutions, and visible player frustration marked his tenure. By December, he was replaced by Walter Mazzarri, in an attempt to salvage the season.
The Result?
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Tactical inconsistency with shifts between 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, and even 3-4-3
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Players unsure of roles and responsibilities
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Disjointed pressing and poor defensive shape
This frequent managerial turnover destabilized the squad’s rhythm and eroded the team cohesion that was so critical during the title run.
Player Departures and Declining Performances
Napoli managed to keep most of their core players, but they lost two vital elements:
1. Kim Min-jae
The South Korean defender was a rock at the back during the title-winning season. His move to Bayern Munich left a massive gap in central defense.
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Replacement: Natan / Rrahmani, who haven’t shown the same defensive leadership
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Result: Napoli now concedes more frequently from set-pieces and transitions
2. Midfield Imbalance
While Lobotka and Zielinski remain, Napoli’s midfield lacks the same energy and verticality it had with Anguissa consistently fit and in form.
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Injuries and inconsistent performances have left a soft underbelly in midfield
Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia: Still Brilliant, but Isolated
Victor Osimhen
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Goals: 10 (down from 26 last season)
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Missed games due to injury and AFCON
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Limited service and reduced space to exploit
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
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Still one of the best dribblers in the league
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Often double-marked without overlapping support
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Fewer goal contributions due to tactical confusion
Without a clear attacking plan, both stars are isolated and predictable — a far cry from the devastating duo that dominated Serie A defenses just a year ago.
Defensive Fragility and Loss of Identity
Napoli’s backline once operated like a well-drilled unit with coordinated pressing and compact spacing. This season, defensive lapses and communication breakdowns have become common.
Issues:
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Poor transitions and recovery runs
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Full-backs caught out of position
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Lack of leadership at the back post-Kim
Napoli are conceding more from counter-attacks, set-pieces, and late-game lapses — signs of a team that has lost its defensive discipline and concentration.
Psychological and Emotional Hangover
Winning a league title brings enormous emotional highs, but also expectations, pressure, and mental fatigue. Napoli’s squad — many of whom had never experienced that level of success — may have underestimated the difficulty of sustaining that performance level.
Signs of Psychological Drop-Off:
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Lack of urgency in tough matches
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Slower tempo in build-up play
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Frustration and lack of focus in key moments
This kind of drop-off isn’t uncommon after a major triumph, especially for a club returning to glory after decades. However, Napoli’s inability to reset mentally has been particularly damaging.
What Needs to Change?
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Stable Management
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Appoint a long-term manager with tactical clarity and man-management skills.
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Defensive Reinforcements
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Sign a commanding center-back to replace Kim’s physical and vocal presence.
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Midfield Restructuring
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Inject pace and energy to support transitions and protect the backline.
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Clear Tactical Identity
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Return to possession-based, high-tempo football with a pressing scheme.
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Mental Reset
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Reset expectations and rebuild the hunger that fueled the title run.
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Can Napoli Rebuild and Return to the Top?
Absolutely. Napoli still possesses one of the most talented squads in the league. With Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia, Lobotka, and Di Lorenzo, they have the foundations of a championship-level team.
However, success in Serie A requires more than just talent. It requires consistency, strategy, leadership, and resilience. Napoli’s fall from glory is not a sign of failure — it’s a challenge to evolve and come back stronger.
Final Thoughts: Lessons From the Decline
Napoli’s struggles are a powerful reminder that in football — and especially in Serie A — staying at the top is often harder than getting there. The season after a title is a test of structure, mentality, and ambition.
If Napoli can reflect on their mistakes, invest wisely, and stabilize leadership, their comeback story could be just as compelling as their championship triumph.
Support the League That Tests Every Champion
Serie A doesn’t just celebrate brilliance — it demands it, week in and week out. Napoli’s journey is a testament to how competitive and unpredictable this league truly is.
Support the league. Embrace the drama. Follow the battles — on and off the pitch — that make Serie A one of the most captivating leagues in world football.
