During his interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, ex-Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly said the Partenopei can eliminate Barcelona from the Champions League as not playing at Camp Nou could be an ‘advantage’ for Francesco Calzona’s men.
Napoli will visit Barcelona on Tuesday, two weeks after a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Maradona in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
Koulibaly is confident the Azzurri can qualify for the quarter-finals for the consecutive campaign.
“I love Napoli, the club, the fans and the city. Things are improving now, I hope they go as far as possible in the Champions League,” he told Gazzetta on Sunday, on page 16.
“Napoli have everything to qualify. Not playing at Camp Nou could be an advantage. At Montjuic, there is not the same passion and pressure. I hope Napoli qualify. Barcelona have talented players and a great coach, but Napoli are organised again and they can hurt them.”
Koulibaly also praised Napoli coach Calzona. The Italian coach worked with Koulibaly during Maurizio Sarri’s era at the club and even convinced the Senegal international not to leave.
Koulibaly also spoke about racist insults he received in Italy, especially incidents in 2018 when he was racially abused during an away game at Inter. A few days later, Napoli legend Diego Armando Maradona sent him his support through his official Instagram account.
“Racism is an issue that must be faced in schools, where children must be taught that they are the future of the world and tomorrow’s adults,” said Koulibaly.
“We must find concrete measures, not sanctions that for clubs and people are like candies.
“That [Maradona] post with my shirt gave me great strength. Maradona always fought for the rights of the weakest, and that’s why Napeolitans love him so much. Barça-Napoli will also be a magical game in his memory.”
Lastly, Koulibaly praised Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al-Hilal teammate Neymar and expressed his satisfaction for playing in the Saudi Pro League.
“Many must thank Ronaldo. He had the courage to make this step. He is a real champion. He trains with the same passion as a kid and he scores extraordinary goals. I call Neymar ‘magic’. What he does with the ball is unimaginable. He embarrasses you for how strong he is. Everything looks easy to him and you don’t understand if you are bad or if he’s from another planet.”