Carlo Ancelotti refuses to give clues on which strike partnership Napoli will use against Arsenal, but admits Unai Emery “has more Europa League experience than me.”
The quarter-final first leg kicks off at the Emirates on Thursday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
“We need clarity on what we are doing, as that gives certainty, takes away from anxiety, so our preparations will be to ensure the team knows exactly what it is doing when defending and attacking,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Carlo Ancelotti refuses to give clues on which strike partnership Napoli will use against Arsenal, but admits Unai Emery “has more Europa League experience than me.”
The quarter-final first leg kicks off at the Emirates on Thursday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
“We need clarity on what we are doing, as that gives certainty, takes away from anxiety, so our preparations will be to ensure the team knows exactly what it is doing when defending and attacking,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
There has been grumbling from the fans after a defeat to Empoli and home draw with 10-man Genoa.
“I am interested in what my players, my staff and my club say. We are not disappointed. We might be irritated, at times annoyed that we’re not doing things the way we should, but not depressed. It’s also not true that I got infuriated with the players in the locker room.
“The really impressive victory with Roma was only 10 days ago, so it’s just been two games over the last four days that were a setback. If you analyse things carefully, you’ll see overall the trend has been positive.
“We’ve got to defend better, but that doesn’t mean we’ll play a defensive game. It’s not decisive tomorrow, but it can make the second leg either easier or tougher. There will be a second leg in Naples, so tomorrow will just set the scene for that.”
Ancelotti was asked about rumours Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne will be the attacking partnership, leaving Arkadiusz Milik on the bench.
“I remain convinced that if we defend better, we will also attack better. Mertens-Insigne is an option. We could have Milik-Insigne, Mertens-Milik, all three of them, or even Adam Ounas as a surprise.
Arsenal could also adjust their forward line depending on the availability of players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“It’s true, there is the possibility we could face two strikers and a trequartista, or two trequartista and a striker. It doesn’t change a huge amount, as we practiced dealing with both systems.
“If we weren’t ready, we wouldn’t be here. Fitness levels are important, the only player we need to evaluate today is Simone Verdi and then we’ll decide based on the tactical strategy.
“Midfielders have a licence to shoot, but only into the top corner, otherwise don’t bother!”
Ancelotti experienced many clashes with Arsenal when he was the manager of Chelsea and joked about Emery’s victorious streak for Sevilla in the Europa League.
“It’s a totally different story, different manager, different team, new players, so it’s a new era. Arsenal are still competitive in the Premier League and Europe, so we respect this club and are honoured to play this quarter-final against them.
“Emery has a lot more experience in the Europa League than me. He is a fantastic Coach, the fact he is on the Arsenal bench will make it more difficult for us.”
The Napoli boss was questioned on his friendship with former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
“He is a good friend of mine and we spoke in Geneva in September. I talk with him, but not about his replacement. What do we talk about? Wine and food!
“I’ve said many times that my experience in England was wonderful, as there was no violence, the stadiums are beautiful, it is the perfect environment to play football. In recent years, the Premier League has grown even more.
“When there are incidents of players being insulted using racist abuse on the field, it’s a scandal. In Italy, it is treated as normality. When it becomes a scandal to us too, it’ll mean we have progressed.”