Christian Maggio has moved on from missing the World Cup and says he is not nervous about sitting on the bench at Napoli.
The full-back is in competition with Juan Zuniga heading into the new season for the one spot in Rafa Benitez’s team.
“With Zuniga I have a great relationship and even if I end up on the bench it would be no drama, and in any case I am giving 100 per cent,” Maggio has told the Gazzetta dello Sport.
The 32-year-old then looked ahead to the coming season and picked out the names of note from pre-season work so far.
Christian Maggio has moved on from missing the World Cup and says he is not nervous about sitting on the bench at Napoli.
The full-back is in competition with Juan Zuniga heading into the new season for the one spot in Rafa Benitez’s team.
“With Zuniga I have a great relationship and even if I end up on the bench it would be no drama, and in any case I am giving 100 per cent,” Maggio has told the Gazzetta dello Sport.
The 32-year-old then looked ahead to the coming season and picked out the names of note from pre-season work so far.
“I would like to play in the Champions League as it fascinates me very much. Insigne will be our added value, he can give us that edge. I see Rafael motivated, already giving us security.
“Michu may be the revelation of Serie A, Koulibaly has quickly assimilated into the group. Our goal is the Scudetto, sooner or later…
“Callejon is a great player, now our movements have been tested.”
Maggio failed to make Cesare Prandelli’s World Cup squad this summer due to struggling in the closing weeks of last season for fitness.
“The failure to make the call left me very disappointed, but I quickly turned the page, I had the opportunity start pre-season from the beginning.”
The right-sided player has shifted in recent years from right wing to right-back.
“I have played right-back with the national team also, whilst with respect to the three-man defence I have changed a lot, now I have to defend better.
“The Coach has asked us to pay more attention on dead-ball situations – to win the Scudetto we have to concede fewer goals.”
Napoli must get through the Play-off round of the Champions League before reaching the Group stage.
“Athletic Bilbao and Dnipro are particular clubs to avoid, but we are not afraid of anyone, and with the strongest teams we excel, our self-esteem has increased.”