Eugenio Corini has reflected further on Chievo’s achievement in upsetting Napoli, and praises his own team’s faith in young players.
Gonzalo Higuain had a first-half penalty saved by Francesco Bardi before Maxi Lopez’s early second-half effort secured the Flying Donkeys all three points on Sunday at the San Paolo.
Eugenio Corini has reflected further on Chievo’s achievement in upsetting Napoli, and praises his own team’s faith in young players.
Gonzalo Higuain had a first-half penalty saved by Francesco Bardi before Maxi Lopez’s early second-half effort secured the Flying Donkeys all three points on Sunday at the San Paolo.
For the Verona side’s Coach, seeing out that early onslaught was key to his team’s success.
“The pressure at Napoli was important, we had a lot of fear in the first 25 minutes, but the more minutes that passed, the more we took courage,” Corini has reflected this morning on Radio Uno.
“We had already begun to fight in the first half. The penalty saved from Higuain was instrumental, but if you win at certain stadiums then it will always take a great performance from the goalkeeper, a bit of luck and a lot of courage.
“Is this a new Chievo? I have succeeded twice with Chievo, both two years ago and in the past season.
“Transfers in January make it difficult to sign a certain type, and this year my intention was to build a team of a certain level and to raise the average level of the team.
“It has been difficult in the past two months to integrate 15 new signings – if we work to our maximum it can bring us results. We can’t forget even those on the bench, everyone is important for this project.”
Corini was asked about Under-21 international Bardi’s acrobatics yesterday.
“He is a boy who we have focused much on, he needs continuity. Much has been said on focusing on youth, but we are the only Serie A team that players two Under-21s as regular starters – Bardi and Biraghi.
“Yesterday our goalkeeper experienced an important day. In the dressing room I congratulated him and told him that this is just the beginning.”
Maxi Lopez was the match winner at the other end.
“I believe so much in him. He is a guy with great humility. During his career he has gone through difficult moments, but has everything to confirm that he is a champion.
“He must also work well when not in possession and in two plays yesterday demonstrated that he is a true striker.
“Will Lopez block Alberto Paloschi’s development? No, they can play as a pair. We have raised the average quality and this sometimes leads to the exclusion of players that we all trust in.
“This formation is penalising him, but this is only a tactical choice. He is going to have a major role within our team this year.”
Corini was asked about Napoli and their early-season struggles.
“On the first day they won against Genoa and Genoa yesterday drew in Florence. Yesterday we did well to stay in the game after the first half-hour, Napoli have all that it takes to be protagonists this season.
“There is a bit of disappointment after the elimination from the Champions League, but they have acquired players functional to their project.
“It is clear that if Juventus and Roma are to repeat last year’s season then for the Neapolitans it will be difficult, but it is not just them. Let us not forget also Inter and Fiorentina – it will be a very balanced League.
“Is Rafa Benitez stuck in his ways? He has a very attacking game plan and for a long time they have had control of the game.
“If you can defend well and not get hit too much on the counter-attack, you can hurt their defence. This is an important aspect that I already told my boys about last week.”