Napoli can reach Champions League semi-finals - Sacchi

Former Milan and Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi believes that Napoli can reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Luciano Spalletti's side are at the top of the table with 23 points in their opening 9 games in Serie A, and have scored 22 goals as well. Also, they have scored 17 goals in 4 games in the Champions League group stage and are on their way to the elimination stage for the first time in the history of the competition. In the 1988-89 season, with the brilliance of Diego Maradona, Napoli was able to win the UEFA Cup and in the 2014-15 season, it reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, but it has never been able to advance from its group in the Champions League. However, Sacchi believes that Napoli can perform well this season and reach the semi-finals of the competition.

He said: 

"Beautiful team; they play modern football, they attack as 11 and defend as 11. Sometimes, it seems like they can be on the pitch with their eyes closed," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"They come together with incredible ease and this is the result of the generosity, cooperation and synergy that exists in the squad. Bravo to Spalletti, because here you can see, and a lot, the hand of the coach.

"If they don't fall into the success trap - and I really hope not - if everyone remains humble and doesn't stop running, I think they can go a long way [in the Champions League]. 

"Who knows, maybe even in the semi-finals if the draws are not too bad? In any case, so far the work of Spalletti's guys is a 10 out of 10.”

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