Walter Mazzarri warns Napoli ahead of Genoa, but also insists UEFA “got it wrong” with his two-match ban against Chelsea.
These teams crossed paths in the last game before Christmas and the humiliating result prompted Genoa to sack Coach Alberto Malesani.
Walter Mazzarri warns Napoli ahead of Genoa, but also insists UEFA “got it wrong” with his two-match ban against Chelsea.
These teams crossed paths in the last game before Christmas and the humiliating result prompted Genoa to sack Coach Alberto Malesani.
“Just because we beat Genoa 6-1 last month doesn’t mean it won’t be a difficult game,” said Mazzarri.
“The Rossoblu are strong in every area of the squad, plus they now have Alberto Gilardino and Giuseppe Sculli, so they’ll put in an important performance.”
The tactician learned this week he was given a two-match UEFA touchline ban for shoving Villarreal’s Nilmar during the 2-0 Napoli victory. It means he’ll be suspended for both legs of the Second Round tie with Chelsea.
“The referee got it wrong,” slammed Mazzarri in today’s press conference. “We are waiting for the full UEFA report so we can lodge an appeal.
“The video evidence is clear and shows I was in my technical area, while Nilmar was wasting time in a zone he was not supposed to be in. He was trying to obstruct Napoli getting on with the game and I wanted to avoid it, at the same time giving my team a signal they shouldn’t put up with this either.
“I only pushed Nilmar to get the ball and stop him time-wasting. The video proves it and we hope everything can be clarified.”