Carlo Ancelotti is “rarely fully satisfied” with Napoli, considering their potential, but warns not to expect an easy ride with KRC Genk.
It kicks off on Wednesday at 17.55 UK time (16.55 GMT) after the Partenopei beat Liverpool in the opening game.
They have stuttered in Serie A however, losing at home to Cagliari and scraping a 2-1 victory over Brescia on Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti is “rarely fully satisfied” with Napoli, considering their potential, but warns not to expect an easy ride with KRC Genk.
It kicks off on Wednesday at 17.55 UK time (16.55 GMT) after the Partenopei beat Liverpool in the opening game.
They have stuttered in Serie A however, losing at home to Cagliari and scraping a 2-1 victory over Brescia on Sunday.
“I am sorry for those of you who assume the worst, but I am not angry. Napoli know what they need to do and who must give their all,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“I expect great things from this squad and there are very few times in my career when I am fully satisfied. Knowing the quality of this team and considering what they are capable of, I cannot be fully satisfied.
“Having said that, we must be critical, but not too much. I watch 1,000 games per week and don’t see champagne football everywhere around us. It’s normal to have a period of a match under pressure and if we think that tomorrow we won’t have one of those against Genk, then we’re in real trouble.
“Football is suffering for a result. Paradoxically, I liked Napoli more against Brescia when we were struggling to hold on and soak up pressure. When I see the team inside our own penalty area, that’s when I feel oddly more relaxed.
“I don’t like the term the media used, suggesting I shouted at the players. We evaluated what didn’t go well, for example the quality of our football and the effort put in. I make these evaluations after every match, whether I raise my voice a little or not.”
KRC Genk are the underdogs in this Champions League group with Liverpool and RB Salzburg, beaten 6-2 in the opener in Austria.
“Genk play good, attacking football and have a precise identity,” continued Ancelotti. “That’s what they did in Salzburg too and were just penalised by counter-attacks. They won the Belgian league title last season and are to be respected.”
It is a return home for ex-Genk player Kalidou Koulibaly and Belgium international Dries Mertens, who is one goal off matching Diego Maradona’s Napoli haul.
“It’ll be a huge achievement to match the best player of all time. Mertens is doing really well at the moment, working hard and scoring goals.”