Luciano Spalletti reveals Sunday’s draw against Salernitana made the team understand the ‘milestone we are achieving’ and says he only had one ‘escape route’ after replacing Maurizio Sarri and Carlo Ancelotti at the Stadio Maradona.
The Partenopei need a draw away at Udinese on Thursday to win their first Serie A title in 33 years. They wasted their first chance on Sunday, collecting a 1-1 draw against Salernitana at the Stadio Maradona.
“We were sorry to see the disappointment of our fans. We feed on their happiness, but the stadium made us understand the milestone we are achieving,” Spalletti said at a press conference on Wednesday, as quoted by Tuttonapoli.
“It’s what I dreamt of when I came here. The stadium was as I expected, with scarves, flags and kids painted in Blue.”
The Partenopei could even win the title tonight, but only if Lazio fail to beat Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Spalletti’s contract expires this coming June but reports in Italy claim the Partenopei have already used their option to extend his stay until 2024. When asked about his future at the club, Spalletti replied: “We have six games remaining and we have to play well. The job is not done yet and then we’ll think about celebrations. After that, we’ll start again.
“I see the potential to open a winning cycle. Then, it will depend on the market and the things we’ll organise. I have a great team and a perspective that can allow us to build on these results.”
The Italian tactician signed a two-year deal with the Partenopei in 2021.
“After Sarri and Ancelotti, I didn’t come here for the money. I only had one escape route: which was to win,” he said.
“I finished third last season and you put up banners asking me to leave. There is still criticism today, but it’s part of the game. I was convinced I could do something meaningful.”
Spalletti could win his first Serie A title as a coach against Udinese, where he worked for more than three seasons, first between March and June 2001 and then from 2002 and 2005: “Udinese bring many players into the box, so we need to be careful,” he said.
“Andrea Sottil was already a coach when he was playing. Udinese are an important club in my career and I am happy to meet many players working there at such an important moment for us.”