Champions League, Pérez challenges Napoli: "We'll need a great Villarreal. Allegri? A great coach."

Villarreal are preparing for their match against Napoli with respect for the Azzurri, but with no intention of backtracking. On the eve of the Champions League match at the Stadio della Ceramica, coach Iñigo Pérez promoted Massimiliano Allegri and acknowledged the strength of the Neapolitan team, while also reviving the hosts' ambitions.

"Napoli are strong, Allegri is great, but we're feeling good and want to win," said the coach, determined to turn the page after the La Liga defeat against Real Madrid. For the Spaniards, the match represents a chance to redeem themselves in Europe, following their defeat in their competition debut on September 8th.

Pérez knows a high-level performance will be needed, especially in terms of athleticism. "We're still recovering, we need energy. We'll have to show strong physical performance to beat Napoli," he explained. The eleven players who played against Real Madrid could be retained, but the final selection will depend on the technical evaluations.

The coach then analyzed the Azzurri's characteristics, emphasizing their ability to adapt to their opponents and change tactical setup. "Napoli is a complete team, with a great coach, gifted with great tactical ability. Allegri will make things difficult for us," he stated.

Among the aspects that concern Villarreal most are the Neapolitan team's attacking transitions, as well as the quality of the individual players. Pérez expects an intense match from the start: "Napoli is a team that can open up, play, and create chaos if they want, and they have done so before. Tomorrow, the opening minutes will be crucial."

All eyes are also on Kevin De Bruyne, who put in a brilliant performance against Frosinone. "De Bruyne has had plenty of nights like tomorrow's, and that's a plus for Napoli. Especially for the quality he brings to the table," the Spanish coach observed.

Despite the defeats in both teams' European debuts, Pérez doesn't see the moment as a sign of crisis. "Losing to Arsenal or Borussia Dortmund can happen; I wouldn't call it a negative trend. Neither for us nor for them," he clarified, also ruling out any nervousness in the dressing room.

Villarreal's objective remains the same: to secure the three points in front of their fans. "There's no pressure to win, we're not nervous, but we want to win," Pérez concluded. The match against Napoli thus promises to be a clash between two teams searching for answers, with the Azzurri called upon to confirm their quality on the road as well.