Walter Mazzarri reveals he has ‘tried a few new things in training’ with Napoli and could see them put into practice against SC Braga, while Victor Osimhen was greeted with applause after his award.
It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 20.00 GMT.
Following bankruptcy and rebirth, Mazzarri was on the Napoli bench when they first qualified back into the Champions League and now he is back after a decade away.
“Football has changed a great deal. I think I remained the same, although I kept up to date. It was a different situation, as we created so much in four years and had our first moments of satisfaction. After that, Napoli did well to remain regularly at these levels,” Mazzarri told Sky Sport Italia.
“I am curious myself to see what happens, as we tried a few new things in training and we’ll see if the players are ready to put that into practice.”
The Partenopei can even afford to lose this match by one clear goal and still qualify for the Champions League Round of 16.
This is because they have seven points to Braga’s four and won 2-1 in Portugal thanks to a late own goal.
So if Braga win by one clear goal, their head-to-head record becomes identical and Napoli still have a better overall goal difference.
“I hope that mentally the lads do not think about that, we need to be focused in defence, but also to play our football to bring the result home.”
Osimhen was in Morocco last night to pick up his African Player of the Year Award and returned this morning to training.
“The whole squad gave him a round of applause and welcomed him home. He is starting, so you can all be happy.”