Gennaro Gattuso's debut in Napoli ended in drama. At the premiere of the Italian coach on the bench in San Paolo after he replaced Carlo Ancelotti - following the dismissal of the former Real Madrid manager earlier this week – they lost (1-2) at home to Parma extending to eight games their run without winning in Serie A. They do not win since October 19 (2-0 against Hellas Verona), too much time for last season’s runner-up that not even with a new coach was able to leave behind its negative moment.

Napoli 1-2 Parma FT:



?? Kulusevski

?? Milik

?? Gervinho



Gennaro Gattuso's first game in charge ends in defeat thanks to a last minute Gervinho winner. pic.twitter.com/UqELaY3sKh — OSTECH STAKE MARKET (OSM) (@osm_ostech) December 15, 2019

CHANGES FROM GATTUSO

With changes in the starting lineup (key players as Mertens and Hirving Lozano were on the bench and Gattuso went back to the 4-3-3) Napoli began and ended up losing. Kulusevski made the 0-1 as soon as the match started and Milik only achieved the equalizer in the second half. After that, Napoli tried to win without luck, and Gervinho, in minute 93, gave the victory to a Parma side which is now ahead of Napoli in the standings.

The crisis continues for a team that is now 8th with 21 points in 16 matches, in a very irregular path that saw them get 5 wins, 6 draws and 5 defeats, and that could end the 16th matchday of the Serie A in the 11th position after this Sunday matches. The distance of seven points from the Europa League and eight from the Champions League positions could also be bigger after today's games. There are no doubts Gattuso has a lot of work ahead.

HARD MOMENT FOR NAPOLI

“Napoli is the perfect team for my game idea,” Gattuso had said in his presentation on Wednesday. “I called Carlo this morning. They have not been easy days. He is like a father to me. Do not compare us. I settle for winning 10% of what he won,” were the former Milan coach words with full respect towards his own previous manager, maybe also knowing that the task he had ahead wasn’t easy, and his first match with Napoli confirmed that.

"Morale isn't great at the moment. The team needs to start believing in itself again", he said after the match. "We need to find the right balance in the different areas of the pitch. This team should be at the top end of the table. We must knuckle down and do better", he completed after a day that started with a storm and strong winds in southern Italy and also for Gattuso. His players fought against the elements, with more heart than rigor, but a new defeat left the atmosphere of an icy San Paolo even colder.