Ex-Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has backed his former club Napoli to go all the way to lift the Scudetto at the end of the season. However, he warns the Partenopei to not get complacent when it matters the most, citing them as their own rivals
Benitez spoke in length to La Repubblica in an exclusive interview, commenting on various topics, including how the World Cup break may affect the teams, Napoli’s title chances and his experiences at Inter and Everton.
“Some teams may struggle to find the rhythm, but those who have focused on intensity so far will gain from the break and the post-World Cup rotations.” (via FCInterNews)
The former Real Madrid and Newcastle United coach then disclosed he doesn’t want to jinx on Napoli’s chances of winning the championship.
“I don’t want to be thought of as a jinx, I avoid expressing myself. They certainly have what it takes: enthusiasm, quality, approach. And the international break could help them. Milan have done a great job. Juve must never be counted out. Inter are well equipped. But Napoli’s only real rival is Napoli.”
Finally, the Madrid-born tactician revealed how his stints at Inter and Everton were marred by the respective clubs’ lack of enthusiasm to invest.
“I was wrong to agree to coach without being able to make the transfer market, because of financial fair play. I found a similar situation at Everton where, after years of great expenses, they could no longer invest.”
Benitez lasted just half a season at the Nerazzurri, as he struggled to maintain Jose Mourinho’s treble-winning momentum at the start of the 2010/11 season. Nevertheless, he won two titles there, the Supercoppa Italiana and the FIFA Club World Cup.
His Napoli spell lasted much longer, for two seasons, as he led the Partenopei to two accolades in 2014 – the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana.
 |
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |