Ancelotti: ‘No champagne for Napoli rivals’

Carlo Ancelotti assures Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool “didn’t pop champagne corks” after the Champions League draw with Napoli.

The Partenopei were placed in an extremely tough group with Gigi Buffon’s PSG and last season’s finalists, not to mention Red Star Belgrade.

“It’s a difficult group, but nothing is unassailable,” assured Ancelotti in his Press conference today.

Carlo Ancelotti assures Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool “didn’t pop champagne corks” after the Champions League draw with Napoli.

The Partenopei were placed in an extremely tough group with Gigi Buffon’s PSG and last season’s finalists, not to mention Red Star Belgrade.

“It’s a difficult group, but nothing is unassailable,” assured Ancelotti in his Press conference today.

“There are three top level teams, plus of course Red Star, who have been impressive outsiders since the preliminary rounds. I’ve been to Belgrade and I know what it’s like to play in an atmosphere like that.”

It’s a reunion at the Parc des Princes for Ancelotti, but also several of the Parisian players such as Marco Verratti and Buffon.

“There are many Italians in Paris and I am certain they didn’t pop the champagne corks when hearing they would have to play Napoli.

“Maybe Liverpool can feel confident after their 5-0 friendly win a few weeks ago, but I know that Jurgen Klopp respects Napoli a great deal.

“These are going to be some very exciting matches.”

Juventus were paired with Manchester United, Valencia and Young Boys in the draw, while Roma got Real Madrid, CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen.

Inter had a rough time of the draw, playing Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and PSV Eindhoven.

“Juve and Roma have an easier fixture list compared to Inter and us, but we hope all the Serie A sides can go far. Italian football needs to be represented at the highest level.”