Luciano Spalletti was unhappy with the calls to start both Dries Mertens and Victor Osimhen in Napoli’s clash against Roma on Monday.
The match is a key game for both sides at this stage of the season, with the Partenopei desperately fighting to stay involved in the title race and the Giallorossi looking to secure a 5th place finish in the league, good enough for Europa League qualification. Napoli’s recent slip-up against Fiorentina means the pressure is on now as the season draws to a close.
Speaking in a press conference, Spalletti first discussed if anything has changed following Inter and Milan’s wins yesterday.
“We can’t play other people’s games, it becomes dangerous to spend energy on other teams’ games. We could try not to lose the previous one, but that one went too and it reduces our chances. Our intentions don’t change, we go to win the game whoever the opponent.”
He touched on what kind of game it’ll be against Roma on Monday.
“It’s a challenge for us, as we are for them, the team that feels most threatened, that has the perception of danger, the one that controls the match the most will win.
“You don’t win with ‘come on, let’s go’, but by doing what you have to do against a strong opponent.”
Spalletti commented on the fans’ requests to see both Osimhen and Mertens start together against Roma.
“It’s possible, they’ve already played, even in the second half against Fiorentina there were Mertens and Osimhen, when the game was even they were there, then in some moments we stretched and there were the two of them.
“Are the fans asking for it? They’re also the ones at the university where they’ve been, everyone wrote it differently, then one changed the formation too.
“Can you give me your formation? Insigne, Mertens, Lozano and Osimhen and behind Lobotka and Anguissa? You still leave out important people like Zielinski and Fabian.”
The Napoli coach provided an update on the physical condition of Fabian Ruiz.
“He’s much better, he’s on his way to the top, he has less discomfort from this pubalgia that he’s been suffering from a bit. He’s someone I can pick from the start.”
He spoke about a number of other injured Napoli players.
“Di Lorenzo won’t be there, but he will be next game. Petagna has reacted well so far, so we’ll evaluate him tomorrow, but the indications are positive.
“Zielinski is fine, I saw a good training session today too. The training sessions were good, all at a good level, then in the last few sessions we lower the volume of work and go with shorter things for brilliance.”
Spalletti discussed Napoli’s inability to keep a clean sheet in recent games.
“The possession phase is our strength, if we keep the ball we don’t concede a goal, if we give the ball to the opponents it’s easier to have difficulties because we don’t have an impact team, of strength, but of imagination, technique, which avoids certain things during the game.
“Without those things in the box you have to abound in others and manage things differently.”
He touched on the team’s recent slips and the impact on the title race.
“Yes, these home games where we could have jumped on top of the league table and instead we struggled, that’s the thing that gave me the most to think about, but when it looks very difficult there’s always the future that’s open and the chance to set something up for opportunities and you go and replay the opportunities that are left.”
The Napoli coach commented on if he’s ready to go all in for the title.
“Never played poker, I don’t have time, but we’ve never held back anything, just to instil suggestion we’ve always gone forward looking everyone in the face to win against anyone to create this mentality of always winning and because of that we’ve also lost some as well, but we have never held back and will never hold back anything to win games.”
Finally, Spalletti discussed Roma coach Jose Mourinho.
“I really appreciate Mourinho’s ability to get across what he thinks, he comes when he says something, he reminds me of my brother Marcello, nowadays everyone writes that I have never beaten him.
“It’s true, right now he is on his way to becoming a legend and winning a challenge against him can also become a thing of the past. To do well you have to beat the legend.”
#Napoli, #Spalletti: "Vincerà la squadra che si sentirà più minacciata. #Mertens e #Osimhen insieme? È possibile"#ASRoma #NapoliRoma https://t.co/VAfa532kfl
— Pagineromaniste.com (@PagineRomaniste) April 16, 2022
This bloke is useless, no idea how he has ever got the jobs he has had
He tries to be the protagonist of any team he coaches. Instead of letting his players. I love Napoli. Will never forget what he did to Totti though. So petty. And he, like Sarri, and Carlo, will fall short with plenty of talent.
How does he have such a large ego
He has been at the top teams and has accomplished nothing in his career.
Crazy guy