Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli defended the decision to put the squad into a training retreat ahead of RB Salzburg. “We want more consistency.”
It kicks off at 20.00 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
Kostas Manolas is on the bench in favour of Nikola Maksimovic this evening, a surprise even though the Greece international has been suffering with bruised ribs.
Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli defended the decision to put the squad into a training retreat ahead of RB Salzburg. “We want more consistency.”
It kicks off at 20.00 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
Kostas Manolas is on the bench in favour of Nikola Maksimovic this evening, a surprise even though the Greece international has been suffering with bruised ribs.
“Both were coming off a tough few weeks with muscular and rib problems, so neither of them were really capable of 90 minutes,” the director told Sky Sport Italia.
Carlo Ancelotti openly confessed that he was against President Aurelio De Laurentiis’ in the decision to put the team into a training retreat ahead of this match.
“It was not a problem, as at this moment we are lacking consistency, so the President decided it was better to have everyone together and free from distractions.
“The coach expressed his opinion freely and there is no issue. He might’ve been trying to bond with the players, as we know nobody likes to be in a training retreat. He put himself on their side. I don’t see why we always have to cause controversy in Italy.”
Napoli are struggling in Serie A, above all with their midfield and lack of balance.
“We have Allan, who has very specific characteristics. Piotr Zielinski is developing, while Fabian Ruiz can defend and attack, with Eljif Elmas growing.
“I think we’ve suffered from drops in concentration from the whole team and not just certain areas of the side. It takes a little patience, especially with defenders, to get to know each other and work as a unit.
“This team has shown at times what it is capable of and at others nowhere near, so we just want more consistency from this squad.”