Never boring, always straightforward and unconventional. It was on the field, it was behind the camera. Paul DiCaniothe former striker (also from Napoli Lippi) and the well-known face of Sky makes his cards in the championship, starting with the champions of Italy.
Are Napoli still the favorites of the new tricolor with the Scudetto on their chest?
“Well, given what he’s done, it’s almost a commitment. But it’s also a big deal for Garcia. There are conditions for the Azzurri to repeat themselves and do what has never been done in the history of Naples: win two Scudettos in a row. Also because there are few applicants at the start.”
Is it harder to win or encore in the Italian league?
“Both are difficult. Then it depends on the surroundings. A repetition in Naples then, with overwhelming enthusiasm and impressive pressure, could have been even more difficult. But the team must try, even if it is not easy.”
Why?
“With the new technical leadership, some players, if things go badly, may not find the key points that Spalletti and his staff had instead.”
Is Garcia the right coach?
“I don’t know. I state that I would have doubts about anyone who arrived. I say that I am curious to know in the process. Because a coach arrives, which I like as an approach, but we had a coach like Spalletti , who lived maniacally in Naples: only overalls, only bicycles, always melancholy, like a volcano ready to erupt: like Vesuvius.For God’s sake, Garcia is a good coach, and in Rome he did well too, but maybe his face deceives him: he is always smiling and happy.”
In what sense?
“The tension will be high from tomorrow, already from the debut in Frosinone: the shield on the chest makes you feel handsome, tall and blond, like Brad Pitt.
The coach said he would change things without upsetting me.
“It’s an interesting thing, and if he says it, then it’s talked about, and it’s also right that he does it. Also because it would be wrong to replicate and copy what was done last year. You don’t have to distort, but try to convince and bring something that can stimulate a group that is not Milan Sacchi. I think of Raspadori as a second striker or an attacking midfielder like Mertens used to be. With this colossus of Osimhen in front of him, someone running around him would be just fine: a brevilinear capable of exploiting second balls.”
How do you rate the Azzurri market?
“I trust the scouts, but I also say that not everything can always be good. I think Napoli should have signed a couple of important players, I mean experts already made, not bets.”
For example?
“In midfield, now that Ndombele is gone and even Spalletti hasn’t been able to pull off the ‘miracle’, we need someone more ready.”
Cajust and Nathan are not like that?
“These are the stakes. Certainly guaranteed, but you have to trust blindly, because we are talking about elements that have not had important experience. We do not know if they can be ready anytime soon.”
The Arab market tried but failed to seduce Osimhen. Is he the first reinforcement?
“Absolutely. Axis is a giant. Velociraptor. Such an emotional beacon as Diego Costa was at Atletico Madrid. He shoots, runs, stretches, starts to hit, takes off his mask, runs and returns to midfield. He needs these runs to recharge.”
We come to competitors. Who is fighting for the Scudetto?
“Here, too, I have no doubts and put Inter by right. The Nerazzurri start head-to-head with Napoli for the Italian flag, but Inzaghi must try to motivate his people better if he wants to get to the finish line.”
How?
“It’s unbelievable that Inter lost 12 games last year: if they close that gap, they’ll be a serious candidate for the Scudetto.”
And etc?
Milan have taken players who can explode, Leao is extraordinary but fickle. Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek have international experience and could be restarted in Italy. Another thing is to make them work together. I think Maldini’s departure will make a difference. One Pioli and without Ibra, I don’t know if he will have that kind of power.”
And Juventus?
“I will put you next to Milan but only if they sign a striker and make another signing.”
Who has been more successful in the market so far?
Roma: The Giallorossi can’t hide and I think they have to finish in the top 4. They took older players to explode: first of all Sanches.”
There is also Salernitana in Campania.
“Souza is right: the team is incomplete and I am a little behind schedule this year. But the corporate idea has also been created and this club may eventually become something like Empoli. We’re talking about a beautiful reality, with a warm stadium and a passionate fan base.”
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on Il Mattino