Rudi Garcia has heaped blame on the playing approach of Napoli, saying that Jude Bellingham’s goal came due to his team’s “high press”.
Garcia saw his Napoli side lose 2-3 to Real Madrid at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium and he believes that a draw would have been the befitting outcome for the game.
The Neapolitans went into the lead in the 19th minute, courtesy of a powerful header from Leo Ostigard.
However, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham had other ideas, as they turned the game on its head before the end of the first 45.
Piotr Zielinski scored the equalizer for Napoli, before a screamer of a strike from Federico Valverde struck the crossbar, hitting Alex Meret and rifling back into the net.
Speaking with Sky Sports Italia after the encounter, manager Rudi Garcia shared his thoughts on the game.
He said: “I don’t think it is a fair result. A draw felt more right, but football is like that sometimes.”
Rudi Garcia on Napoli’s playing approach against Real Madrid
Garcia bemoaned over the kind of goal his team conceded, stressing that they opened up too much after conceding the equalizer.
The Frenchman said: “The problem I have is that after the equalizer for 1-1 we opened up too much.
“When you are in a difficult moment, you have to stay solid, not press high and create the spaces that Vinicius and Bellingham are just waiting for.”
The 59-year-old chastised his players for their attitude in the game, and he emphasized the need for Napoli “to unite, stay solid and not always rush to make the high press.”
However, Rudi Garcia also commended his team for their reaction after the commencement of action in the second half.
Garcia said: “What I did like was the approach after half-time, when Napoli were aggressive, passed, moved and could’ve won the game after equalizing.”
The former AS Roma manager also added that he was pleased with the performance of his players but displeased with the result.
He said: “The attitude of my team was good and those who came off the bench also brought freshness and intensity.
“I am disappointed with the result, but pleased with the performance.”
Jude Bellingham has shown excellence since joining Real Madrid
Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham has had an outstanding start to life at Real Madrid, as he has settled into the team brilliantly, even displacing legendary first-team players at the club.
Bellingham had the courage to drag about four Napoli players onto his path, and he still converted the ball exquisitely with panache.
The Englishman has scored in back-to-back UEFA Champions League games for Real Madrid this term, contributing his quota from the middle of the park.
Jude Bellingham is repaying the faith that club president Florentino Perez had in him, which made Los Blancos fork out €103 million to sign him from Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham has scored 8 goals and provided 3 assists in 9 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions.
The 20-year-old has shouldered some of the responsibilities regarding goals, and he has continued to meet those standards.
He also set up Vinicius Jr for the equalizer, intercepting the ball before assisting the Brazilian, after a defensive error from Napoli.
The former Birmingham City midfielder is the current top-scorer of the Spanish La Liga, with 6 goals to his name.
