Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli can only ‘accept’ Leicester City’s approach to the COVID protocol and wants his team to focus on Europa League qualification.
It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 17.45 GMT.
There was controversy, as Leicester have seven players and three members of staff at home with COVID, but the travelling party initially at least refused to take a fresh PCR/antigen test with the Naples health authority after their arrival yesterday evening.
“All we can do is accept Leicester’s decision not to have another swab,” Giuntoli told Sky Sport Italia.
“We must prepare for this game, we have the possibility of qualification and must focus everything on that.”
Napoli are decimate too, with injuries ruling out the likes of Victor Osimhen, Lorenzo Insigne, Kalidou Koulibaly and Fabian Ruiz.
“We will try to repeat the recent performances, but unlike those games, add a result to them. We’ve been unfortunate to lose important players, but in doing so also rediscovered Kevin Malcuit in great shape, Stanislav Lobotka and the return of Dries Mertens.
“It’s a difficult situation, but we are drawing on every possible research to get through to the next round.”
This is a tricky moment for the Partenopei, who went from the top of the Serie A table to third place in one weekend after the 3-2 defeat to Atalanta.
“The club, players and staff are all united and must stick together in this moment. We completely transformed the squad over the last two years, they gelled well with the new coach and we must remember to look at the big picture, not just individual results.”
Correct. Should not have been allowed to even eave the airport. Have some respect for the country you’re visiting.
Another bit of toothless protocol by UEFA,.
Napoli and the health board saw a great opportunity to try and influence the result and upset the Leicester build up.