We are in the optimal situation to face Juventus - Luciano Spalletti
Napoli will host Juventus tomorrow at the Maradona Stadium, and Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti believes his side are in perfect shape to face Bianconeri and are prepared for anything against the Old Lady.
“Those like me who have dreamed of football since childhood have dreamed of these great matches, the taste of rivalry, the taste of the important challenge,”
Spalletti said at a press conference
.
“It’s what even the players, being Napoli players, want to do, go out and play. We are in the optimal situation, the one we have always dreamed of.”
Juventus could be eight points behind Napoli if they lose, but Spalletti does not care about the table right now.
“It’s a game I don’t like to play because it puts me at a psychological disadvantage,”
he said
.
“Defeats create the conditions for growth, while victories spoil a little. We need to remain balanced, have motivation without being presumptuous.”
Will Juventus use a three- or four-man defense?
“I expect both, Juventus have the right players to change their system during the game and modern football is teaching us that scenarios can change really quickly.
“Bonucci, Chiellini and De Ligt can play in a three-man defence. We need to be ready to face different moments.”
Napoli are also dealing with South American players returning from international duty. Most of them return to their clubs on time for the weekend, while Juventus have decided to remove them from the team they are sending to Napoli.
“I agree with the President when he says that these things should be changed,”
said Spalletti
.
“It’s going to be a matchday that affects the teams. It’s a bit like when you go to the theatre and you don’t find the best actors on the stage.”
The coach confirmed that Dries Mertens and Faouzi Ghoulam are not available, but they are not the only ones.
“Most of our players are feeling well, some are tired because of their international games. We know they want to help their national teams,”
the coach admitted
.
“We must assess Zielinski and others, but then there is another group of players who has trained, is feeling well and can make an important contribution”.
Will André Zambo Anguissa play against Juventus tomorrow?
“He showed his level immediately from the way of entering the locker room and say hi to his teammates,”
Spalletti said
.
“He will be very useful because he has qualities that other players don’t have. He is the player we were looking for to complete the midfield.
“Lately, we’ve played with a regista and two mezzali, but we’ve prepared something different too. We worked on a two-man midfield, but it depends on the players’ characteristics.
“Lobotka is injured and it’s annoying because we had organized everything in a way. Demme is out of action too, but I am convinced Fabian or Anguissa can play in a certain area of the pitch if they are asked to.
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