Luciano Spalletti insists Napoli ‘have the duty to believe’ in their Scudetto chances despite recent setbacks and takes responsibility for his much-criticised substitutions.
Their visit to Empoli is on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT).
Kalidou Koulibaly is suspended, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo, David Ospina, Stanislav Lobotka and Eljif Elmas injured.
Confidence is also low after the 3-2 home defeat to Fiorentina and 1-1 draw with Roma, which practically ruled them out of the title race.
“As long as we have the possibility, we also have the duty to believe, while taking on the responsibility for what is happening. But we believe…” said Spalletti in his press conference.
“We need to focus on the present, as whoever thinks about the past is a masochist. Alessandro Zanoli had a fitness problem too and needs to be evaluated. We need to focus on finding solutions, so Diego Demme could certainly get a chance.”
The coach was asked whether President Aurelio De Laurentiis still believes in the Scudetto.
“I don’t know, because I didn’t meet with him. We mustn’t feel the weight of this situation on our shoulders, the responsibility of the fans who are in love with Napoli and the hunger of Empoli, whereas if you don’t care as much, it all becomes easier.
“My future is Empoli, my present is Empoli, for the rest we can talk about it at the end of the season. We need to focus on these final five games, because I believe and the fans believe.”
Spalletti has been criticised for his choice of substitutions, particularly for going more defensive from leading situations, such as the 1-1 draw with Roma.
“It’s too easy to talk about substitutions in hindsight. I am the one who chooses the starting XI and the changes, I make the decisions and I make the mistakes.”
🎙#Spalletti “Il presente e il futuro si chiama Empoli. Si punta alla vittoria delle partite perché tutti noi ci crediamo”#EmpoliNapoli
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/SmJWGhFmdq
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) April 23, 2022
This bloke is an idiot
Napoli are such chokers like spurs they will not win the league
Remember folk, dreaming and believing cost nothing.