Arrigo Sacchi witnessed his fair share of great sides conquering league titles during his glittering managerial career. His Milan team of the late 80’s and early 90’s is continually regarded as one of the greatest ever club outfits, but even they were given a run for their money during his Rossoneri stint by the one and only Diego Maradona and his Scudetto triumphant Napoli side.
Speaking of the Partenopei’s historic third Scudetto title, Sacchi focused on what makes Luciano Spalletti’s team relatively stand out from the rest.
“First, Napoli won by clinging to a single individual, who was also the strongest in the world: Maradona, who was the beacon of that team. If he wasn’t there, there was no light. Instead, this year, they relied on their play, the group, and a sum of the factors. In my mind, it’s a notable leap in quality and an evolution in which Spalletti is the master.” (via TuttoNapoli)
Sacchi further heaped praise on the former Roma and Inter manager for making Napoli punch above their weight enroute the championship victory.
“He chose a way of playing and was able to convince the squad to follow him. He has always believed in his own ideas and has never sought a compromise between strategy and tactics. Napoli always played well, put on a show, and won, other than a few select exceptions. Thus, he demonstrated a lesson that I have been repeating, unheard of, for some time: if you play your game without waiting for your opponent, and if you do it well, you have a better chance of achieving success.”
Napoli clinched the Serie A shield after 33 years, bringing joy to the city that last witnessed Maradona lead them to the Scudetto back in 1989/90.
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