Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis believes Napoli can dream going further than the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 phase, given they keep their heads straight against Eintracht Frankfurt. He backed the Partenopei to win the coveted continental title following their meteoric rise this season.
De Laurentiis spoke to Bild (via TuttoNapoli) in an exclusive interview and highlighted few important topics as the business end of the season approaches, starting with the Champions League.
“We mustn’t think we are better than Eintracht. The duel against Barcelona last year says a lot, and few would have bet on them. We’re not making the same mistake Barcelona could have made. We have a strong team, but the best teams in the world are in the Champions League. I think Napoli can win the Champions League, just like the bookmakers, who however also see us as the fourth or fifth most likely candidate. Certainly, some teams are stronger. We’ll see.”
The club patron also reflected on his team’s transfer market dealings.
“Our players are in great demand, yes. But I don’t have to sell any of them. We have no debts. If I want to produce a good show, I want to have the best performers. And I have them. In the 400 films that I produced I had the best actors and directors of Italian and world cinema. And it was the same with Lavezzi, Cavani, Jorginho, Higuaín, Hamsik or now Osimhen or Kvaratskhelia. I don’t think players like Kvaratskhelia or Osimhen are leaving in the summer.”
Finally, De Laurentiis rallied Napoli to go against all odds to keep up their remarkable form.
“If you have a good team, in a healthy club and with a great coach, why would you collapse? We are like a stock market that is going up. If there are no negative and exraordinary things happening, there is no reason to lose ground. I don’t think about fear, I’m basically a warrior”.
Napoli sit a comfortable 13 points ahead of Inter atop Serie A standings, well on their way to a first Scudetto title in over 30 years. They face Cremonese and Sassuolo next, before playing Europa League winners Frankfurt in Germany.
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