Paolo Cannavaro can’t wait for Napoli’s campaign to get started in Beijing against Juventus. “We want the Italian Super Cup.”
Paolo Cannavaro can’t wait for Napoli’s campaign to get started in Beijing against Juventus. “We want the Italian Super Cup.”
The Coppa Italia holders go head-to-head with the Scudetto winners in China on August 11, kick-off 13.00 UK time. It is effectively a replay of the Coppa Italia Final.
“Both we and Juve will try to be ready for that appointment, but for us the Super Cup is the first objective and we want to make it a double after the Coppa Italia in May,” the captain told Il Mattino newspaper.
“I would like to be for Napoli what Francesco Totti is for Roma or Alessandro Del Piero was for Juventus. Now I feel more affection from the fans, though it’s tougher than ever in modern football to be a symbol.”
The Partenopei are not in the Champions League this season, but are still eager to build on recent success.
“Napoli have what it takes to be in the top group,” continued Cannavaro.
“However, let us please not talk about the Scudetto and I am not just saying that due to superstition. We must focus only on getting the best out of every match and then look ahead to the next one.
“It will be essential to progress as dark horses, the way Juventus did last season. At the end, we’ll see where we have ended up.”
Cannavaro increased confidence with a spectacular overhead kick goal in the 3-2 friendly win over Bayern Munich on Friday.
“It is something I often do in training. I had fun practising it on the beach when I was a kid. It seems to be in my DNA. We didn’t expect such a positive performance against Bayern either, considering they are at a more advanced stage of pre-season training.”