Spalletti refutes Pep’s ‘games’ as Napoli and City chase success
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Luciano Spalletti has guided Napoli to the quarterfinals of the Champions League
Luciano Spalletti has rejected Pep Guardiola’s claim that Napoli are the best team in Europe at the moment, stating that the comments are “a game to build us up, so they can tear us down.”
The Partenopei clinched their first Champions League quarter-final appearance after a comfortable 3–0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the round of 16 second leg.
Leading by 18 points at the top of Serie A, Spalletti’s side look poised for the silver medal despite everything, and City boss Guardiola suggests they are the team to beat.
Spalletti, however, feels the Catalan coach is only saying that to gain the upper hand in the mental battle ahead of Friday’s round of 16 draw, with both teams in the mix to meet.
“I don’t feel proud, I don’t feel anything,” he told Amazon Prime Italia. “I know this game that everyone does to put pressure on others.
“Do we put Napoli ahead of Manchester City? If they can spend €900m compared to our €9m, there must be a reason. It’s a game to build us up, so they can tear us down.”
City booked their place in the quarter-finals with a ruthless result, clinching a 7-0 second leg win over RB Leipzig on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Napoli join rivals Milan and Inter in the quarterfinals, marking the first time three Italian teams have taken the stage since the 2005-06 campaign.
Spalletti urged fans to enjoy the moment, but insisted his team cannot get carried away as they look to make more history in Europe this season.
“It’s a great result, [and] we’re going to enjoy it together with all our fans,” he added. “Now it becomes essential that we maintain the same attitude.
“If Napoli in the entire history of this club had not reached the quarterfinals before, that means this is a great result.”
Spalletti refutes Pep’s ‘games’ as Napoli and City chase success
Luciano Spalletti has guided Napoli to the quarterfinals of the Champions League
Luciano Spalletti has rejected Pep Guardiola’s claim that Napoli are the best team in Europe at the moment, stating that the comments are “a game to build us up, so they can tear us down.”
The Partenopei clinched their first Champions League quarter-final appearance after a comfortable 3–0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the round of 16 second leg.
Leading by 18 points at the top of Serie A, Spalletti’s side look poised for the silver medal despite everything, and City boss Guardiola suggests they are the team to beat.
Spalletti, however, feels the Catalan coach is only saying that to gain the upper hand in the mental battle ahead of Friday’s round of 16 draw, with both teams in the mix to meet.
“I don’t feel proud, I don’t feel anything,” he told Amazon Prime Italia. “I know this game that everyone does to put pressure on others.
“Do we put Napoli ahead of Manchester City? If they can spend €900m compared to our €9m, there must be a reason. It’s a game to build us up, so they can tear us down.”
City booked their place in the quarter-finals with a ruthless result, clinching a 7-0 second leg win over RB Leipzig on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Napoli join rivals Milan and Inter in the quarterfinals, marking the first time three Italian teams have taken the stage since the 2005-06 campaign.
Spalletti urged fans to enjoy the moment, but insisted his team cannot get carried away as they look to make more history in Europe this season.
“It’s a great result, [and] we’re going to enjoy it together with all our fans,” he added. “Now it becomes essential that we maintain the same attitude.
“If Napoli in the entire history of this club had not reached the quarterfinals before, that means this is a great result.”