Luciano Spalletti insists Napoli ‘did nothing wrong’ in the defeat to Lazio, but face a very different task against Atalanta. ‘We are not so presumptuous as to control the season like it’s a formality.’
It kicks off on Saturday at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 17.00 GMT.
Their lead at the top of the table remains a comfortable 15 points, albeit reduced from 18 after last week’s surprise home defeat to Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio.
Now they face another of the sides in the battle for a top four finish, having won 2-1 in Bergamo back in November.
“You build mentality over time and that game was one that reinforced the concept of football we wanted,” said Spalletti in his press conference.
“It’s always fascinating against Atalanta and you have to really fight to earn the result. I don’t think we need to react to the defeat against Lazio, because we had the right attitude and only lost due to a few details.
“Atalanta play in a completely different way to Lazio, they give you space between men, come and attack you, then give you the illusion of being open, but that’s just because they move faster.”
Neapolitans are traditionally very superstitious and eager not to even say the word ‘Scudetto,’ so Spalletti is joining in by batting back questions about when the title celebrations can really kick off.
“You always talk about future games, never the present, but it’s one game at a time with the maximum concentration only on that match. We are not so presumptuous as to control the season like it’s a formality.
“That will continue until it is mathematically no longer possible for another team to catch us. Look around you, despite what some may say, it is very difficult to bring home the result every week in Italy. We did nothing wrong against Lazio, but still came out empty-handed, because they made the most of that situation, just as we have done in some of our own wins.
“I don’t need to motivate these lads, they are well aware of what this jersey means for the city and its people. Eyes on the stars, feet firmly on the ground and march on.”
Mario Rui sits out the second in a two-match ban following the red card against Empoli for a reaction foul and was missed in the 1-0 defeat to Lazio.
“I remember two years ago everyone was complaining about Mario Rui, the papers gave him terrible reviews, so I am pleased that now you are giving him the credit he deserves,” noted Spalletti to the gathered media.
Hirving Lozano and Giacomo Raspadori are out injured, while ahead of the Champions League Round of 16 with Eintracht Frankfurt, Spalletti hinted he could give Tanguy Ndombele a rare start.
“He has strength, technique and shakes off tackles. You are right, I was thinking about using him tomorrow, you must’ve read my mind with psychic powers…”