Maurizio Sarri admits it was “my mistake” against Inter, including the Roberto Mancini row, and Sampdoria are “a test of Napoli character.”
The Partenopei visit Samp on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Naturally, during the Press conference he was asked about the two-round Coppa Italia ban for using homophobic slurs in a touchline row with Inter boss Mancini.
Maurizio Sarri admits it was “my mistake” against Inter, including the Roberto Mancini row, and Sampdoria are “a test of Napoli character.”
The Partenopei visit Samp on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Naturally, during the Press conference he was asked about the two-round Coppa Italia ban for using homophobic slurs in a touchline row with Inter boss Mancini.
“I am very happy that Mancini accepted my apology. There’s little else to add. I was sad to be depicted as something I am not. If someone does something in life, he has to do it in private without making them public.
“Unlike people usually do in this country, I immediately took responsibility and apologised. I will never again answer questions on this whole affair,” said Sarri in a Press conference.
“I am a highly-strung person and in moments of stress I have more difficulty controlling my temper. I know I have to improve this aspect, but with my personality it’s somewhat difficult.”
Moving on to the game, Napoli were beaten 2-0 by Inter in the Coppa Italia quarter-final midweek.
“I don’t think the team will be affected by the controversy, but we do need to respond immediately to the Coppa Italia defeat.
“This is a difficult game and we need to give a response. Samp have much more quality than their current position in the table would suggest. It’s a complicated match, nobody would think a trip to Sampdoria was a walk in the park.
“We rested certain players so that we could have them fresh this weekend, so they will come back in,” he said of Gonzalo Higuain, Marek Hamsik and Lorenzo Insigne.
“I want the same attitude as always. I got too tense against Inter with the idea of going to extra time, which happened to me at Empoli last season, and that weekend we struggled physically.
“Like all experiences, that affected my choices, but perhaps too much. I am pretty sure I got it wrong. I tried to hold out and wait to make changes later. We should’ve attacked the game more, the way we usually do. It was my fault.”
Napoli only lasted one week at the top of the table last time, while they’ve been there for a fortnight now.
“It is a test of our character and we want to prove the Coppa Italia defeat to Inter was a blip.”
Antonio Cassano has found his form at Sampdoria and could be a key figure tomorrow afternoon.
“He is a natural talent and he knows full well he could’ve done more in his career. He has the kind of moves that very few others can and is one of the best of his generation. In terms of character he needs certain elements around him to deliver and I think he’s found them, as he looks regenerated.
“Of course at this moment he is a threat to any opponent, including us.”
Alberto Grassi has been secured from Atalanta, while they are also targeting Empoli defender Federico Barba.
“I love working with young players, because usually they are like a blank slate and it’s particularly gratifying for a Coach. Of course at Empoli there were certain objectives and infinite patience with young players, so they were helped to make mistakes and grow. There’s a different level of pressure at Napoli and we need to be very clear on what the objectives are both short-term and long-term.
“This is a year of construction for us, so at this moment we can comfortably bring in young players. It’s also worth knowing that the younger they are, the more time they need to settle.”