Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti has stated that his team’s chance of winning their first Serie A title in over 30 years remains 50-50.
This is even though the Pertonopei have 15 points advantage over the team occupying the second position.
He stated this while speaking at a press conference before they visit the Bundesliga side, Eintracht Frankfurt, in today’s first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
Reacting to the question asked on the current campaign if their impressive run in Serie A can finally lead to the first Scudetto in over 30 years, the former Roma boss said media at the start of the season, already thought Napoli wouldn’t qualify for the Champions League.
The Italian tactician pointed out, “now you are saying the opposite.”
Highlighting the potential of his team and his opponents, the coach noted that Napoli are a strong side, but they also have a 50 percent chance.
Speaking further, the former Inter Milan manager pointed out that the Bundesliga aide have more experience than the Partenopei in knock-out games, but they can rely on Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who are ‘sending messages to World Football.’
“I know my players quite well, and I know what kind of men they are, so I expect the right attitude.
“They have more experience than us in knock-out games, but we’ve been trying to develop this in the last few games, playing without thinking about the little advantage we have in Serie A,” Spalletti said at a press conference.
On his part, Eintracht boss Oliver Glasner said that Spalletti’s lads look ‘anti-Italian’ for the way they play.
At his pre-match press conference, he praised the Partenopei saying, “This anti-Italian thing is a cliché.
“Sometimes teams playing in Europe leave space for the opponent,” said Spalletti.
“Eintracht are very aggressive but can also track back quickly. We all use different styles, but due to European quality, it’s very difficult to play constantly in the opposing half.”
Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia are having a good season, as the pair already scored 31 goals across all competitions.
Lauding Osimhen for his maturity and making the correct assessment, he said the pair have the flair, the fantasy, and the quality to send messages to World Football.
He is convinced they will have the right attitude when they face the German club.
Napoli are going into the clash on the back of a single loss in their Champions League group, which they won ahead of last year’s finalists, Liverpool.
Written by Oladipupo Mojeed
