Leonardo Semplici urges Cagliari to face Napoli with courage, ‘not thinking it’s an impossible task,’ but has a Joao Pedro decision to make.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
There is the temptation to reserve some resources, as next weekend it’s a head-to-head relegation play-off with Benevento.
Leonardo Semplici urges Cagliari to face Napoli with courage, ‘not thinking it’s an impossible task,’ but has a Joao Pedro decision to make.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
There is the temptation to reserve some resources, as next weekend it’s a head-to-head relegation play-off with Benevento.
“We are accustomed to taking it one game at a time. Napoli are a team who are playing great football and it’s going to be a very difficult match,” said the coach in his press conference.
“We’ll face Napoli with great respect and the awareness we can put our own qualities onto the pitch, regardless of who we are up against.
“I haven’t yet decided, but resting Joao Pedro is a possibility, especially as he is on a yellow card. I am sure whoever plays will give their all.
“We have to experience every game as if it were the last, which means fielding a top team. I have no fears or worries, I know that I have a strong squad and we just have to keep the mentality always at the right level. We need to play Napoli with determination both attacking and defending.”
Napoli are on sparkling form at the moment and caught Juventus and Milan in joint third place.
“It’s difficult to say what their weaknesses are, but we certainly have the resources to hurt them. We need concentration and courage, not thinking it’s an impossible task.”
Alessio Cragno finally returns after a period out with COVID-19, while Radja Nainggolan is available again after missing the win over Roma through suspension.
“Nainggolan is our focal point, taking nothing away from the others,” added Semplici. “He has superior quality that makes the difference on the field. The week off actually did him good physically too and we need the best Nainggolan against Napoli.”