Giovanni Di Lorenzo wants Napoli to forget the 4-0 defeat and take a fresh approach to Milan, but above all enjoy it, because they ‘might not play a Champions League quarter-final again.’
The first leg of the Champions League quarter-final kicks off at San Siro on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
These teams already met in Serie A earlier this month, with the Rossoneri grabbing a shock 4-0 victory at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
This is a different tournament, but both Victor Osimhen and Giovanni Simeone are out of action, so the other available centre-forward tomorrow is Giacomo Raspadori.
“I think there has been already too much talk about the Serie A game,” said Di Lorenzo in his press conference.
“Now we turn over a new leaf, we’ve prepared well and are ready to take the field. The victory against Lecce boosted our confidence.
“There is zero fear. We were not the usual Napoli that night and tomorrow will be completely different.”
Rafael Leao scored two goals in that 4-0 match and will be the danger man to watch on Wednesday too.
“He is a strong player with a lot of quality, but we need to limit all of the Milan players to get a good result.”
Osimhen was already injured for both Serie A meetings with Milan this season and is out tomorrow as well, joined on the treatment table by Cholito Simeone.
“We know that Osimhen is a very important player, but we don’t depend on one striker. I have full faith in those who are here and we’re not worried.”
With the injury list so long, there are only four strikers available, with Giacomo Raspadori the lone centre-forward option.
“I have no advice to give him. Even if he is young, he already has experience, winning the European Championship with Italy and has just struggled with injuries lately, but makes the difference
“If we look at the season we’ve had, it seems almost to be taken for granted that we are here. I say we ought to enjoy these two games, albeit naturally with the right focus. We must play with enthusiasm, free of tension, things that we lacked in the Serie A game. This will be different.”
Di Lorenzo is the captain of the Napoli squad that tops the Serie A table and is in the Champions League quarter-finals.
“It is the best period of my career, which is why I say we all need to enjoy the moment, because we might not get the opportunity to play in a Champions League quarter-final again.”