Ottavio Bianchi won the Scudetto with Napoli, but warns they need to get rid of the “victim mentality. It’s the only area where they haven’t grown exponentially.”
The now retired tactician spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of tonight’s showdown with Milan.
“In some ways, the only area where Napoli haven’t grown exponentially over the years is in their victim mentality. That’s just an extra chance given to the opposition.
Ottavio Bianchi won the Scudetto with Napoli, but warns they need to get rid of the “victim mentality. It’s the only area where they haven’t grown exponentially.”
The now retired tactician spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of tonight’s showdown with Milan.
“In some ways, the only area where Napoli haven’t grown exponentially over the years is in their victim mentality. That’s just an extra chance given to the opposition.
“In my days, Napoli would fight to avoid relegation one year and finish mid-table the other. At that time, you knew you were representing a great city, but now you are representing a big club too.
“Now the club has been at the top for years, a side with a precise identity and Carlo Ancelotti can now ‘make the most’ of Maurizio Sarri’s work, adding his own ideas to build on the existing project.
“Ancelotti has done really well to not completely tear it down and start again. He is getting the best out of his players with squad rotation, not going overboard. They say the best Coach is the one that does the least damage.”
Nonetheless, Juventus are still streaking out in front on their way to a potential eighth consecutive Scudetto.
“Juve are putting together results that can never be repeated, but it’s also because all their challengers have fallen at more or less the same time. If Inter, Milan and Roma return to playing at a certain level, it’ll be easier also for Napoli to challenge Juve.”
Would Bianchi thrive or struggle to deal with demanding President Aurelio De Laurentiis?
“I wouldn’t last a week. Now Coaches have to sign contracts guaranteeing media appearances…”