Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez predicted Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli to grab just a third-ever Scudetto in their history back in November. The Partenopei have been unstoppable, having tasted just one defeat so far this Serie A campaign – at the hands of Inter earlier last month.
Benitez, who led the Napoli for two years last decade, had voiced his opinion earlier during the season to Spalletti, but the Italian tactician didn’t want to hear it.
“Now it’s easy to say that Napoli will win the Scudetto, with the advantage, but I told Spalletti in early November. We met here, in this same Liverpool hotel. Napoli came from a very long positive series, they were unbeaten between Italy and the Champions League, but they only had a 5-point lead over Atalanta and 6 over Milan. I told Luciano that he would bring the Scudetto back to Naples. He didn’t want to hear it, even for a matter of superstition, but I already felt then that it would be the right year”. (via FCInterNews)
When quizzed what made him think that Napoli would be victorious, he had special words of praise for Spalletti.
“For how Napoli were playing, for the players they have and above all for the coach they have: Spalletti is an experienced coach, and with experience you handle situations better and make fewer mistakes. That’s why success I’m not surprised by Napoli. I continue to follow him, I see many games, I have many friends there, I gather information. And they are all positive. The team is in good shape.”
Napoli have well capitalised on the mistakes of fellow clubs Juventus and Napoli, but Benitez believes that the Partenopei’s main strengths lies in Europe.
“It is true that Juventus have their problems and Milan are not doing well, but Napoli’s great merits cannot be underestimated. And do you know where their great strength can be seen? In Europe. This is a team that is fighting at its best in the Champions League. They will be champions of Italy with full merit.”
Napoli sit 16 points ahead of second-placed Inter in the Serie A standings. With just 15 games left to play, the Partenopei are the clear favorites to win the league title for the first time since 1989/90.
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