LNapoli coach Uciano Spalletti, despite his team's winning streak and good moment, warns of the pitfalls of tomorrow night's match in Europa League against Spartak Moscow.
"I don't know how it was managed in the past, for us it's an important competition that gives us experience in a comparison that can improve our football. Among other things, in the group there are very respectable teams, I know very well the power of Spartak in Russia. They have fans everywhere".
And then he added: "The god of football always punishes those who go on the field with presumption, respect is absolute and without any sign of surrender. We go to play this match to win, knowing that it will be very difficult. There will be a team equipped and eager to overturn the result of the previous match".
As for the line-up, the coach did not commit himself: “There will be 3-4 substitutions, but we could also change all eleven because we have a very respectable squad available. A competition of this level could cause complications without such a large squad. It is clear, however, that it is better to do things gradually”.
Finally, on the united group that is being created, Spalletti concluded: "If they attack Napoli and my players I become annoying, constructive criticism is acceptable when it is not aimed at causing harm. Gossip about me is fine because I always find interesting ideas."
"Spartak Moscow has a decent mentality, but the pitfalls of tomorrow's game are that they lost the first match at home undeservedly and this game is needed to stay in this competition. In Russia they care a lot about the European comparison, so they are used to fighting hard", said the Tuscan coach.
“I think the new thing of five substitutions has extended the life of the football match. Consequently, to be safe you have to score three goals.” The count was made by Luciano Spalletti, Napoli coach, on the eve of the Europa League match against Spartak Moscow.
"While before with two goals it became a difficult result to overturn, now with five substitutions you are never safe. Consequently, for what was the space had and the possibility to go and attack the defensive line of Cagliari, when he tried to do something more, there were situations that we had to exploit. It's a bit of a reflection that was posed to the team, which we talked about".
"Now we have to give continuity to the game and improve every game. I'm fine if the game ends and we've won, I'm a bit of a farmer and so I don't dream long-term, I think about what I can harvest tomorrow."
And finally Spalletti then underlined that “if we think about the match against Cagliari – he said – I think that the 5 substitutions extended the life of the match and to be safe today you have to score 3 goals, before with a two-goal lead it was difficult to suffer a comeback, now you are not safe. With Cagliari we had several opportunities that we had to exploit, we talked about it”.
Article published on 29 September 2021 - 15:12
