"In matches of this level, if you are afraid, you must not show up. You must have the courage to face a strong opponent, knowing that Napoli will play on equal terms everywhere."
Francesco Calzona is clear on the eve of the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 away to Barcelona.
After the 1-1 draw against Maradona in the first leg, which was also his debut on the Azzurri bench, we now need a brazen and courageous Napoli who really try to win in Catalonia, to return to the quarter-finals, collect 10 million from UEFA and be able to dream again.
Calzona believes in the dream, praising a Napoli team that was hurt by the draw against Torino: "Tomorrow's match - he said - is very important, it is the match of the year and we must then also recover in the championship.
For further information Agenzia ANSA Champions, Xavi: 'We need a magical night against Napoli' - Football - Ansa.it 'Calzona has improved the team, it will be an open match' (ANSA)
Going through to the Champions League means a lot at a club level and for the team.
It's a match in which the team charges itself.
Not everyone can play in the Champions League round of 16 against an opponent of this level.
We focused on our defects because in these matches conceding something can be fatal". Great expectations in Naples and from the thousands of Azzurri fans who will be at the Olympic stadium in Barcelona tomorrow evening for a Napoli team that Calzona defines as "not just Kvaratskhelia against the opponent , because we see an excellent team match.
We lacked something to beat Torino but we improved a lot.
Since my debut in these three weeks we have changed a lot.
The team is more compact and concedes less, but creates more". The coach seems to have clear ideas about a formation that should see Traoré confirmed in midfield with Lobotka and Anguissa, with the Politano-Osimhen-Kvaratskhelia trident and the Rrahmani duo and Juan Jesus with Di Lorenzo and Olivera as full-backs. Calzona has also recovered Ngonge and Cajuste and wants to see further steps forward tomorrow after the signs of awakening in the championship.
For further information ANSA Champions Agency: Barcelona-Napoli directed by Dutch referee Makkelie - Football - Ansa.it Match scheduled for Tuesday at 9pm (ANSA)
"Today - he said - Napoli concede less, we score enough, we move forward. In three weeks these guys have made giant steps forward, but the improvement is not over, we have a lot to do to become what I would like. The weapon more tomorrow? To be a team for 90 or 120', the objective of the individuals must in fact be achieved as a common objective. I expect the team to make progress, to be a strong group, this is my aim with the boys who have worked a lot. I'm happy but it's not enough, I want to see the results on the pitch. We have other objectives and to achieve them we have to improve."
Calzona, obviously, respects Xavi's squad to the maximum, talking about the absence of De Jong and the comments on the young Lamine Yamal, considered by many as the Messi of his rising generation: "I like many players from Barcelona - he says -. This one the boy has the qualities to become one of the best in the world, he is 17 years old and already looks like a veteran, he has many qualities. De Jong is a player who excites me, he is modern, physical, technical, he has everything. Barca misses him because he is a very regular starter but I know that the team has a large squad and will find the right measures for his absence."
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