An opportunity not to be missed. Juventus' victory makes the Scudetto dream almost impossible, but the fall of Roma puts a prestigious and important second place within reach. Provided that Napoli beat Sampdoria, in the match that will open the football Epiphany (at 12.30), otherwise, rather than the Giallorossi, we will have to look at Fiorentina, who with the victory over Livorno made their connection in the standings.
However, Benitez does not want the results of the advances to monopolize attention, because a mangy opponent will arrive at the San Paolo, fully regenerated by the Mihajlovic cure. “Let's just hope that Sinisa doesn't take the field to beat free-kicks – joked Rafa in the press conference. – They play well, but we have to win”.
In fact, the three points are almost mandatory for Napoli, who will then be able to take advantage of a favorable calendar until February 20, when Europe will return to the scene. In fact, between now and the match against Swansea, the Azzurri will face off against Verona, Bologna, Chievo, Atalanta, Milan and Sassuolo: Rossoneri aside, a fairly easy path to try to recover positions.
“It's true – admitted the Spanish coach. – Furthermore, with only one race to prepare for each week, everything will be easier for me”. But woe to resting on your laurels, also because Napoli stumbled several times in the so-called simple matches, especially in the former San Paolo fort, which this year gave points to Sassuolo, Parma and Udinese.
“The points lost at home were however compensated by the successes away – replied Benitez. – We have to be concrete in front of goal, we also worked a lot in the defensive phase and on set pieces." It is also useless to hide that the coach expects a lot from the market, which could give him the necessary reinforcements to make the definitive leap in quality. No purchases just to do, as demonstrated by the stop on the Antonelli front (already blocked for some time and now almost faded): Rafa only wants quality grafts like Gonalons, Lyon midfielder, which should be made official in the next few hours.
“Let's try to do what's needed – reiterated the Spaniard. – We are a young and strong team, at the top of the Italian league and with financial balance. The January transfer market is difficult, because the top clubs don't let their players start. It is unthinkable, for example, for Chelsea to be without David Luiz or Mata, and the same goes for Barcelona with Mascherano. We have to hire important people who are functional to our module, on this we are in agreement with both the managers and the scouting team”.
We'll see what happens between now and the end of the month, but in the meantime Napoli have to play their part on the pitch. Against Sampdoria Benitez will again have to do without Hamsik, Behrami and Reina, not even called up. Rafael will therefore be in goal again, Maggio, Fernandez, Albiol and Reveillere (preferred over Armero) in defense, Inler and Dzemaili in midfield, on the trocar, behind the untouchable Higuain, Callejon, Pandev and one of Mertens (favourite) will act and Insigne.
In addition to the adversary, the concerns come from the cabal. In fact, a year ago, just the day after Roma-Juventus (but the Giallorossi won at the time), the Azzurri got bogged down with a 0-0 home draw against what was then Delio Rossi's Sampdoria. In fact, Napoli's dreams of glory were shattered. An eventuality that the 55 thousand of Fuorigrotta do not even want to consider.
