Here you make Europe or you die. Garibaldi's saying, appropriately modified, is perfectly suited to the season in Naples and Fiorentina. Games with great ambitions especially in the league, the teams in question now find themselves on the verge of sporting bankruptcy. In fact, they will hardly be able to reach third place, the primary objective for both, and even the panacea of the Italian Cup is gone, leaving bitter disappointments. But all is not lost because, looking closely, there is still a way to save the season, indeed to make it triumphant: win the Europa League.
It would be a great undertaking, both at a sporting level (Napoli hasn't won an international trophy since 1989, Fiorentina even since 1961) and economically. In fact, in addition to the possibility of playing in the European Super Cup, there is a place in the Champions League up for grabs. In short, the road to redemption passes through Europe, starting from this evening.
The first leg of the quarter-finals (21.05) will see Napoli play Wolfsburg and Fiorentina play Dinamo Kiev. Delicate matches, especially for the Azzurri. In fact, the Germans have already executed Inter, showing everyone what they are capable of. But Napoli, Serie A standings in hand, should be something else, although the Germans, following the same criterion, still appear superior.
“They are very strong, they have players like Perisic, Luiz Gustavo and Schurrle, people I had signaled but unfortunately we couldn't sign – explained Benitez in the press conference. – It will be a very tough game, we will have to honor the double commitment with maximum energy ". Regardless of the value of Wolfsburg, second in the Bundesliga at minus 10 from Bayern Munich, a lot will depend on Napoli. Benitez's team is indecipherable, capable of great feats (remember the victories over Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal?) but also of sensational thuds (above all the elimination in the preliminary round of the Champions League with Athletic Bilbao). De Laurentiis tried to give a signal (withdrawal to the bitter end) and the Azzurri seem to have understood it.
“We won 3-0 against Fiorentina but I liked the team more against Roma and Lazio – replied the Spanish coach. – However, the team is fine, ready and motivated”. Important proclamations, especially on the day when, from Germany, the sensational resignation of Klopp arrives, who will leave Dortmund at the end of the season. The English bookmakers see a future for him at Manchester City but the Napoli track should not be excluded regardless, especially since Pellegrini's place is also of interest (and a lot) to Benitez.
Fiorentina does not have these problems, already sure (barring unpredictable jolts at the moment) of continuing with Montella. Even on the banks of the Arno, however, disappointment spread: the team seemed to be launched towards the podium in the championship and the final of the Italian Cup, then collapse. “The Europa League is fundamental – confirmed the Viola coach. – We won't neglect the championship but now we have to think about Dinamo Kiev. He is a complete opponent, with important plots and technical and fast players. Our problems aren't physical, it's just a matter of mind and concentration".
But now the margin of error is over: In Kiev, against a mangy team (the Ukrainians eliminated Everton in the round of XNUMX), a showdown will be needed. All Italian football asks for it, in Naples and Fiorentina. Only one, possibly, will be able to rejoice in the final in Warsaw but in the meantime it would be nice to get there.
