Napoli boss Rino Gattuso says Sampdoria coach Claudio Ranieri "worries him," and remembered former Perugia President Luciano Gaucci.
The Partenopei travel to Genoa to face struggling Sampdoria tomorrow in the Monday night game, with kick off at 19:45 GMT, but Gattuso says they’ve improved under boss Claudio Ranieri.
“Since Ranieri arrived at Sampdoria they are first in the league for conceding the fewest amount of goals,“ said Gattuso in his press conference.
Napoli boss Rino Gattuso says Sampdoria coach Claudio Ranieri "worries him," and remembered former Perugia President Luciano Gaucci.
The Partenopei travel to Genoa to face struggling Sampdoria tomorrow in the Monday night game, with kick off at 19:45 GMT, but Gattuso says they’ve improved under boss Claudio Ranieri.
“Since Ranieri arrived at Sampdoria they are first in the league for conceding the fewest amount of goals,“ said Gattuso in his press conference.
“They defend well and leave very few spaces. I am worried, because we face a great coach.
“If we manage to win it is important for us, but it will be a battle because they are difficult to face at home.”
Gattuso then gave an update on Napoli’s absentee list.
“Fabian Ruiz hasn’t trained for four days, he’s really ill and won’t be called up tomorrow. Diego Demme is partially training, we will evaluate him tomorrow.
“Kalidou Koulibaly is not yet 100%. Nikola Maksimovic is, and tomorrow we will see if he will play.
“Dries Mertens also did good work this week, he will be called up and so will Allan.”
Legendary Perugia President Luciano Gaucci died this week at the age of 81, and Gattuso played under him whilst at Perugia in the late 1990s.
“I want to remember him, he helped me grow, he gave me a lot. I embrace his whole family. Rest in peace, big Luciano.”
The former Milan boss says he will vote for Sinisa Mihajlovic for this year’s Panchina d’Oro.
“I will vote for Sinisa, but not because of his illness, but because of what he showed last year and his strength.”
Napoli signed Matteo Politano from Inter in the January transfer window, and Gattuso may use him against Samp.
“Politano has had an influence, but today he’s trained and is available. He is strong and will give us a great hand.
“Last year I gritted my teeth because I didn’t get into the Champions League by a point and he made the difference for Inter.”
Asked if on paper Napoli should be in the top six, Gattuso scoffed at the idea.
“It makes me laugh, on paper, what does it mean? If you are not right mentally you can lose even with kids from the Primavera.
“On paper there is nothing, every game is difficult, let’s think about tomorrow evening.”