Juric: We Were Good in the First Half, but We Gifted Them Goals

Monza lost 4-1 to Napoli in their Serie A match. The home side finished the first half well. Gustavo Varela answered Rasmus Hojlund's opening goal with a header from Jay Robinson's cross. However, as the second half began, defensive errors worked in Napoli's favor.

Napoli's goals came from Matteo Politano, Rafa Marin and Kevin De Bruyne. Monza head coach Ivan Juric said his team's performance in the first half was very good and that the draw was less than they deserved. Juric noted that his side started the second half well but then began gifting goals.

Juric said that practical work was sometimes neglected and that this result hurt. Even so, he added that he saw many points to work on. In the coach's comments, both disappointment and a positive impression from the first half stood out.

Gustavo Varela is drawing attention as Monza's biggest surprise this season. The Portuguese forward has played eight Serie A matches and scored eight goals. He also scored two goals in his only Coppa Italia appearance. Reports began to emerge that Premier League clubs would make moves in January for the player, whom Monza signed from Benfica in July for 2.5 million euros.

Juric said Varela is talented and has great potential to develop. Noting that the player works on improving himself every day, Juric stressed that if he stays humble, he can go very far.