Napoli coach’s unusual reaction to Pep Guardiola praise: ‘It’s a game to put pressure on us and take it off him’

Compliments are generally always welcome. However, in sport and in football in particular, some take these compliments as an intention to put pressure to condition the good gift or to try to “poke fun” at the rival. This seems to have felt the coach of the Napoli, Luciano Spallettijudging by his own words after a high praise received from Pep Guardiola.

italian painting have a dream time. It’s him absolute leader in Serie A, with 22 wins in 26 games played and 18 points behind main rivals Inter Milan. Also, this Wednesday qualified for the first time for the quarter-finals of the Champions League League, after eliminating Frankfurt from Germany with a 5-0 aggregate.

GuardiolaManchester City coach and hypothetical rival in the next phase of the Champions League, spoke about the Neapolitan team and showed great admiration. “Napoli are perhaps the best team in Europe this year, in terms of style of play…close to Arsenal,” Pep assured, after the Ciudadanos beat Red Bull Leipzig 7-0 in the rematch of the round of 16.

The unusual reaction of the Napoli coach after a compliment from Pep Guardiola.

Far from feeling flattered by his words, Spalletti took it out against his colleague. “No, I’m not proud. It’s a game to put the pressure on us and take it off him. How are you going to put a team that invested 9 million euros ahead of one that spent 900 million. It’s a little game to say that we’re going to put you there and then you’re sure to fall. In any case, we love flattery. Here in Naples we are ready,” insisted the Italian, who opted not to choose a special team for the Champions League quarter-finals.

By analyzing the 3-0 scoreline achieved in the rematch against Frankfurt played at home in Diego Armando Maradona Stadium of Naples, Spalletti acknowledged: “It’s a great result, and it’s for the fans. Now it is important to maintain the right attitude. Today we were not as qualitatively as usual but we did everything well, without receiving anything and we were quite lucid”. And he continued: “Now, to the fans who are delighted because we have taken a historic step, I tell you that don’t go around town and ruin what has been achieved. to be happy and satisfied, leaving aside any type of provocation that can be put on them. Be happy and sing Fuerza Napoli”.

Finally, he highlighted his striker, Victor Osimhen: “He is a very strong footballer, that sometimes he has solo performances, with big breaks and openings, but then he has to be able to connect with the team. NOW does, and we are very happy”.

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