Carlo Ancelotti believes the 3-1 win over Chievo will “take weight off” Napoli ahead of the Europa League showdown with Arsenal.
Kalidou Koulibaly’s brace and an Arkadiusz Milik curler were decisive at the Stadio Bentegodi, mathematically relegating Chievo.
Carlo Ancelotti believes the 3-1 win over Chievo will “take weight off” Napoli ahead of the Europa League showdown with Arsenal.
Kalidou Koulibaly’s brace and an Arkadiusz Milik curler were decisive at the Stadio Bentegodi, mathematically relegating Chievo.
“This win takes some of the weight off our shoulders. I saw we were tense, there was concern and worry. After Milik’s goal, we loosened up a bit and it’s a helpful boost,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“It’s always difficult to choose my XI and it was today too. I wanted to use a reliable side that had a lot of character, as against Empoli I made a lot of changes and we lost something in terms of personality.
“Choosing the side for Thursday will be tough, but I think I’ll manage it…”
Ancelotti was asked if using Milik, Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne together against Arsenal was on the cards to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit.
“All three strikers is a possibility. I preserved Milik early in the season, but he can do great things that put him along the top strikers in Europe.
“We were surprised by the Arsenal pressing game, as we couldn’t play our way out from the back and kept trying to do it rather than attempt long balls. Their second half performance is more like the attitude they’ll have here at the San Paolo, so going for the counter-attack.
“I chose Insigne and Mertens together because they are both quicker than Milik, so I wanted to use their pace. I think next Thursday the key will be to play a lot of vertical passes.”