Luciano Spalletti disagreed with Massimiliano Allegri’s suggestion that Napoli have more to lose than Juventus, noting that ‘certain investments’ make them favourites.
The Partenopei currently sit seven points clear at the top of the Serie A table heading into the 18th round of fixtures, giving them a strong shot of winning their first Scudetto in over three decades.
Juventus have the wind in their sails after their sluggish start to the season and a win in Campania would take them to just four points behind, putting Napoli under further pressure.
Speaking in a press conference, Spalletti first responded to Allegri’s suggestion that Napoli have more to lose than Juventus.
“I understand that it’s convenient for Allegri to pass off as a supporting player, but for a Juve always stuffed with champions it’s impossible for them to hide from the role of favourites.
“Certain investments only pay off by playing for Scudetto and Champions League victory. It’s useless to wear a hat or a fake beard, there is no fourth place that will satisfy Juventus.”
He touched on which team should be more afraid heading into the match.
“When you wear such important jackets, I see it hard to play with fear, no one will be afraid, there are strong players in terms of personality and technique and both will play to win and it will be a great show.”
Spalletti spoke about Juventus’ eight wins in a row and their tactical plan.
“The first move is made by the one who hits the centre, he will have the ball between his feet. They are two different philosophies, Allegri espouses the Juventus motto, winning is the only thing that matters.
“Here it’s all more heart and soul, there was Maradona, they saw him play, and when he won he showed how much beauty there is in football and we can’t help but take some of that beauty with us and remember that football hoping to reproduce it.
“Then it’s clear that the matches tell us that they will leave us the pitch, as we also saw with Cremonese and Udinese, and there it becomes a management in which you have to be good at keeping possession and looking for the goal.
“You have to know how to interpret correctly because you leave the pitch and take what they concede. They counter and have multiple individual plays, the first consideration will be to never lose balance in attacking.”
He commented on why the Bianconeri’s defence has been so solid this season.
“They drop down in front of the penalty area, it’s easier defensively than pressing high, then there’s the will of the football you want to play, the skills you think your players have and whether you can like it as a spectacle to do that football there beyond the wins.
“We will do what we like and what the fans like. A coach came through here a short time ago, Sarri, who won nothing but people only talk about his football and so he has value and I like that other stuff.
“There was Benitez who won a couple of titles, he was also well spoken of, but he didn’t impress like Sarri so you have to be careful.
“Sometimes you leave a mark more with the visible than with what you bring home without a job done on the pitch.”
The Italian coach commented on if Juventus’ off-pitch issues will have an effect on their performances.
“You never know the reaction of a team, sometimes it’s the opposite and teams huddle in and everything else becomes an extra motivation, maybe it was needed to make this winning streak.”
Spalletti reflected on the recent brawl between Napoli and Roma fans.
“Those who feel like beating each other up instead of watching the show must stay out. This stuff here can’t be seen, they have to stay home and if they’re not there it has to be imposed.”
He touched on what promises he can make the fans.
“Commitment, the only thing I can promise since I’ve been doing this job. Two thirds of my day, every day, is working on the game. The fans deserve three-thirds but I have to sleep otherwise I can’t the next day.”
The Napoli coach spoke about the idea of seeing Giacomo Raspadori on the right side of the team’s attack.
“No, for players like Raspadori you can say many things because he knows what to do on all sides, it would not be risky.”
Finally, Spalletti gave his thoughts on Juventus’ defensiveness.
“If one team plays in front of the defensive line, it’s difficult for the other to make 10 chances on goal, the space becomes narrower and you need above-average quality. The difficulties will be there and we have what it takes to play the game we want.
“Change anything? Substitutions. Having other fresh players who give a burst of speed at certain times can disrupt something.”
spoke the truth
How about first you win a Serie A title, then you discuss winning mentality, because you certainly don’t have it and neither does Napoli. Also what does Napoli know of exciting football, what is their heritage? The teams build around 3-time Ballon d’Or winner Platini and 1-time Ballon d’Or winner Baggio, where they defensive minded teams?
when u’re on top,and act like u’ve been there all the time