Antognoni: Napoli favourites

Ex-Fiorentina captain Giancarlo Antognoni admits his former side will start as underdogs in the Coppa Italia final.

The Viola face Rafa Benitez’s Napoli in this weekend’s showpiece event hoping to win a first major trophy since 2001.

Ex-Fiorentina captain Giancarlo Antognoni admits his former side will start as underdogs in the Coppa Italia final.

The Viola face Rafa Benitez’s Napoli in this weekend’s showpiece event hoping to win a first major trophy since 2001.

“The final? It will be an important match for both Napoli and Fiorentina,” Antognoni told Radio Crc.

“Montella’s team is maybe at a disadvantage because they have been missing some of their best players like Cuadrado, Rossi and Gomez.

“Napoli too have a bit of a problem with Higuain and we still need to see whether he will make it or not.

“Napoli start as favourites even though finals are always one-offs. On paper though, Napoli are favourites.

“If we look across Europe, the teams that win are maybe the ones who are less spectacular but know how to defend.

“In Italy we are seeing some good football. Fiorentina and Napoli are two offensive teams who always play for the three points. You don’t see that attitude across Europe.”