Luciano Spalletti explains that the key to Napoli’s exhilarating football is not systems, but ‘spotting the spaces left by the opposition,’ while noting Victor Osimhen’s ‘desperation’ to score on his comeback.
The Partenopei have already booked their place in the Round of 16 with two games to spare, having won all four matches.
They’ve done it in style too, scoring 10 goals just against Ajax, having won 6-1 in Amsterdam and 4-2 here, for a total 17 goals.
“On evenings like this, you are swept along by the atmosphere. At one point, I felt dizzy and thought I could see stars going around my head,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia, painting a cartoon-like image of being at the sold-out Stadio Maradona.
“This qualification is down to the lads and I am fortunate to be working with a group like this. The entire city is proud of them, a city that pushed us on with the right motivation.”
The coach was praised for his all-attack tactics and 4-3-3 formation, but insists on spreading the credit.
“Systems no longer exist in football, it’s all about the spaces left by the opposition. You must be quick to spot them and know the right moment to strike, have the courage to start the move even when pressed.
“We saw today with Ajax’s first goal what the Champions League is. Anguissa was injured and we conceded before we were able to put the ball out of play.”
Osimhen came off the bench for his comeback and scored in the final minute, having been caught offside several times and fired over, all with a palpable sense of desperation after so long off the pitch.
“Osimhen was often offside because he was so eager that he started the runs early,” explained Spalletti.
“He is not yet in the right shape to help out his teammates, but we tried to keep the ball more in the second half and use Osimhen’s ability in the air for long balls.”
When Osimhen did find the net, he whipped off his shirt and protective face mask in celebration.
This was Napoli’s ninth consecutive victory in all competitions.
We are the best team in Europe. Suck it.
Best Italian team for a long time . I have not seen this consistency in both league and Europe for over a decade to bad they weren’t in Barca group so they could smash those cry babies
Congrats to Napoli I admire what they are doing. Last time a serie a team was this dominant in Europe was Milan. WISH THEM all the best and a deep run. Crush some more overrated EPL teams please.