Champions League
Naples the best in Europe? Guardiola got a reaction from the Italian coach: It’s just a game, he’s trying to put pressure on us
Naples is in excellent form. It is no wonder that the team led by Luciano Spalletti is constantly receiving praise. Even from phenomenal strategists such as Pep Guardiola. But the Italian coach has not been impressed by his words.
Naples is in excellent form. It is no wonder that the team led by Luciano Spalletti is constantly receiving praise. Even from phenomenal strategists such as Pep Guardiola. But the Italian coach has not been impressed by his words.
The best team in Italy and undoubtedly one of the best teams in Europe. Naples is having a dream season and showing what perhaps nobody expected. Attractive football, goal scoring and, above all, great results not only in the league but also in the Champions League.
For the first time in history, the Partenopei are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, having handled Eintracht Frankfurt rather handily in the eighth round. AC Milan await them in the next stage, and they will face the winner of the Inter Milan vs. Benfica double-duel in the eventual semi-final.
In the league, Luciano Spalletti’s charges now have a magnificent 18-point lead and to lose the title, their opponents would only have to win and Napoli would have to lose at least six games out of twelve.
It is no wonder that important figures in world football are commenting on Napoli’s form in this way. For example, Pep Guardiola, who is already seen as one of the best coaches in history.
After his team’s 7-0 win over Leipzig, the Manchester City manager described Naples as the best team in Europe. But would Coach Spalletti be too happy about that? Not at all, quite the opposite.
“It doesn’t make me proud. I don’t feel anything special about this statement. I know the game. Everybody does it. They’re just trying to put pressure on other teams. To put Napoli above Manchester City? If they can spend 900 million euros compared to our 9 million, there must be a reason,” Goal quotes the Italian as saying.
However, Spalletti was more positive about Napoli’s progress: “It’s a great result, we will enjoy it with our fans. Now it is essential to keep this attitude and keep a clear head. If Naples have never been in the quarter-finals of this competition before, this is an excellent achievement for us.”
Source: Goal, Transfermarkt