Jose Callejon tries to shrug off the Maurizio Sarri era and focus on Gennaro Gattuso’s new-look Napoli. “He had grit as a player, but as a coach, it’s double!”
The trip to Cagliari kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“When Gattuso arrived, we did badly for the first three or four games, then improved, only to have another dip. These things happen in football,” the Spaniard told Sky Sport Italia.
Jose Callejon tries to shrug off the Maurizio Sarri era and focus on Gennaro Gattuso’s new-look Napoli. “He had grit as a player, but as a coach, it’s double!”
The trip to Cagliari kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“When Gattuso arrived, we did badly for the first three or four games, then improved, only to have another dip. These things happen in football,” the Spaniard told Sky Sport Italia.
“In these situations, we have to work at 100 per cent and stay totally concentrated, because that is how good results arrive. Little details make the difference, every ball in a game can be decisive.”
The Partenopei have been accused of losing their identity over the last couple of years, switching from Sarri’s 4-3-3 to Carlo Ancelotti at 4-4-2 and back to 4-3-3 with Gattuso.
“We had three wonderful years with Sarri, but that doesn’t count now. He is in charge of a different squad and we are happy with Gattuso,” insisted Callejon.
“The coach is eager to do well and brings real cazzimma (grit in Neapolitan). He was like that as a player, but as a coach, it’s double! He gives us so much and we must listen to him, as he played in the biggest games and can pass on his advice.”
The same goes for midfielder Fabian Ruiz, as Callejon warns his fellow Spain international that nothing can be taken for granted.
“Fabian knows he will become a top player if he keeps his head in the right place. I advise him to work hard every day, because football is like that, you are up one day and down the next. It’s important to listen to your coach.”
Napoli seem to be doing far better in big matches than against minnows, so could they cause a huge upset in the Champions League Round of 16 with Lionel Messi’s Barcelona?
“Messi wears the Number 10, another Argentine to play at the San Paolo after Diego Maradona. We have to just focus on preparing well and bringing home the result in this first leg on home turf.”