Napoli visit Liverpool in arguably one of the most anticipated encounters of the UEFA Champions League group stages despite both teams qualifying for the Round of 16 with matches to spare. The Partenopei are unbeaten in Europe in five matches this term, as the surprise package look to make it through Group A unscathed against a faltering Reds outfit.
Coach Luciano Spalletti spoke to the press (via TuttoNapoli) on the eve of the blockbuster clash, and had a few interesting comments to make regarding star talents Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen.
“We have in front of us the team that made the last two Champions League finals, that made coaches and players take inspiration from them, to translate their philosophy onto the pitch within their own teams. The stadium gives a pressure of constant emotions and any clash or duel is experienced as a goal. It is a stage where all the players in the world would like to play.”
He was then prompted to comment whether Napoli’s fine run of form was influenced from their 4-1 victory against the hosts at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
“They are games that trace the path because you have the best in front of you, those that everyone fears and consequently you get a sense of conviction and self-esteem that can help you gain experience immediately and have a character to show tomorrow night in this environment here. But we need the quality of the players we have to be able to put it into practice.”
Finally, the ex-Roma and Inter tactician shed light on the potential of two of Serie A’s most exciting talents – Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen.
“We have a young team, so we always hope to be good at providing an increasingly important path for development because we need that. Even top players like Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia can put something extra in it. For example, with Osimhen you can see that the balls that are given to him, some clean them and make them playable and then reattach the spaces. Other times he goes at it alone. Kvaratskhelia is infinite as a possibility, because someone who comes here from another country, with this naturalness and simplicity and shows all those things there, still has room for improvement that cannot be understood.”
Napoli sit atop Serie A standings with 32 points, unbeaten in 12 games. Similarly, the Partenopei have maintained a 100% record in the UCL, with five wins from five.
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