As Napoli recorded two consecutive 0-0 draws with Fiorentina and Torino in Serie A, it began to emerge that Carlo Ancelotti’s side have a problem with scoring goals. The Partenopei now sit a staggering 13 points behind top-of-the-table Juventus, and only once before (2006-07) has there been a gap this big between first and second place in the era of three points for a win.

Of course, this is also to do with the sheer dominance of the Bianconeri this term, but with the title race non-existent and an early exit from the Coppa Italia, Napoli now only have the Europa League to prove they can achieve something tangible this season. Ancelotti has been keen to stress that this is not a season of transition following the exit of predecessor Maurizio Sarri, but it’s certainly looking like his side is struggling right now.

“We lacked a goal, just as we did against Fiorentina,” the coach told Sky Italia after the 0-0 with Torino last Sunday. “We played with focus, motivation, determination, but it’s unacceptable to have 18 scoring opportunities over two games and not score any of them. 

“Evidently, we need to work in training on the finishing, crosses, movements, decision-making. I defy anyone to say this team doesn’t play good football, but we are not turning the chances into goals.”

Such a lack of precision in front of goal should not be too much of a worry on Thursday evening—as Napoli host FC Zurich on Thursday with a 3-1 lead from the first leg—but if they want to go all the way and win the Europa League, they will certainly need to sharpen up.  

Statistics reveal that Ancelotti’s men have hit the woodwork no less than 18 times this season, a record among all clubs in the top five European leagues. Forward Lorenzo Insigne is taking an average of 4.7 shots per game in Serie A, yet has only scored once since Nov. 2. Furthermore, Dries Mertens is without a league goal in 2019, himself having only fired in once since that same day at the beginning of November when the Belgian scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Empoli. 

It’s a worrying trend that their coach will have to solve using all of his vast experience, one that will perhaps prompt him to alter his usual 4-4-2 formation. Rectifying this problem will ultimately prove whether or not this has been a campaign of transition for Napoli and Carlo Ancelotti.

Chloe Beresford specializes in Serie A for a number of outlets and can be found on Twitter and on Facebook via her page CalcioByChloe.