As Lazio visits Napoli, Spalletti praises Sarri, backs Osimhen to score
Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti at his customary pre-match press conference ahead of Napoli’s match against Lazio on Friday discussed, among other things, the influence of Maurizio Sarri at the Stadio Maradona.
The Portenopei will be looking to extend their significant 18-point lead at the top of the Serie A table when former coach Maurizio Sarri comes to town.
Speaking about Sarri and his connections to Naples, Spalletti said: “Sarri has certain things that are similar, we both like to wear tracksuits. I also like to wear shoes when I walk,” he laughed. “Then there is also the idea of wanting to command the game.”
“We bring with us a culture of hard work and a certain way of being on the pitch, a mindset and some of the characteristics that were started by others and previous players.”
Spalletti also spoke about Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, who will be hoping to continue his eight-game scoring streak in the league on Friday. “He’s one of those who deserves to play for quality, and experience,” he said.
“It’s easy for me to work with guys who have quality, an aptitude for listening, for learning because that always gives you the possibility of moving forwards. I thank them, but they are always the architects of what is happening.”
With the Scudetto already seemingly within touching distance, Spalletti is more interested in building for long-term success with Napoli rather than focusing on short-term goals.
“Everyone dreams of success when they do this job,” he added. “I’m not one of those who wants to win at all costs and then fail the following year. I like to work with the club to create the right discourse to achieve our common objectives”
And despite the enormous 18-point gap between the Partenopei and their closest competitors Inter, Spalletti remains adamant that his team can’t afford any slip-ups.
“We don’t consider it [the 18 point lead], we have to evaluate every game in the same way. What makes the difference is playing them in exactly the same way, even with 10 men at Empoli, giving respect to the opponent. “
“Anything can happen, small details are enough to change everything. That’s how it works.”
Napoli has won 21 of its 24 league matches this season and is on a run of five wins without conceding a goal. Forward Osimhen tops the Serie A goalscoring chart and has netted 11 goals in his past 10 matches. But the visiting Lazio hasn’t conceded in its previous four matches and needs the points in a tight battle for the Champions League places. Moreover, with Inter Milan and AC Milan not playing until later in the weekend, Lazio can leapfrog a point above the Milan clubs.
Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund’s perfect record this year faces a major test in the Bundesliga when former coach Marco Rose returns with Leipzig.
Leipzig has lost only one game since September and is targeting a win in Dortmund to consolidate its hold on the final place for Champions League qualification.
Dortmund is bidding to extend its winning run to 10 games across all competitions this year. It already has the best record for any team across Europe’s top five leagues in 2023.
Another win over Leipzig would lift the team three points clear at the top of the Bundesliga before 10-time defending champion Bayern Munich visits relegation-threatened Stuttgart on Saturday. Bayern leads Dortmund on goal difference.
In Spain, Real Sociedad hosts Cadiz needing to get back to winning to ensure it doesn’t lose hold of third place in the Spanish league.
Sociedad was the sensation of the season before it hit a skid recently with only one win in the last five rounds.
Atletico Madrid in now only one point back in fourth. Cadiz heads north to San Sebastian playing its best of the season. It has escaped the relegation zone with three wins in its last five games, although those victories have all come at home.
And in France, Nice looks to extend its unbeaten run to nine matches when it hosts struggling Auxerre. Nice’s run has moved it up to seventh place and has included victories over high-flyers Marseille and Monaco in the race for Champions League qualification next season.
Nice has scored 17 goals and conceded only two during the eight-game run. Auxerre is down in 16th but has won its past two matches to move out of the relegation zone.
