JAKARTA - Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti looks to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with great hopes. Because there is a history that Spalletti wants to write for Napoli in their folklore.
Napoli are scheduled to host Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of the last 16 of the 2022/2023 Champions League. The decisive match to the quarter-finals will take place at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Thursday, March 16 at 03.00 WIB.
Napoli have enough capital to ensure a place in the top eight. Because in the first leg in Germany, I Partenopei won 2-0 which made them aggregate.
If in this second leg Napoli draw, they will qualify for the quarter-finals. This moment is what Spalletti wants to realize.
That way Napoli can make history through the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time.
The great teams consist of great players. There is a history that will be written in the match later. Our city is full of big stories and big characters. We want to be part of Napoli's history and become a folklore in this city," the coach was quoted as saying by Livescore.com on Wednesday, March 15.
"Given this is the final game, I want to see the attitude of a hungry team and want results. I've seen them in training all season long, and they never let their heads down," continued Spalletti.
Spalletti emphasized that his team should not underestimate Eintracht Frankfurt, who has the title of last season's Europa League champion. The advantages in the first leg are considered not promising.
"It would be great for us to think we were already in the next round, that's not the way we do things. Don't forget Eintracht (Frankfurt) escaped from a group containing Tottenham Hotspur, Olympique Marseille, and Sporting CP," the 64-year-old coach said.
"Last year, they won an away over Barcelona team that got rid of us, so we have great respect for Oliver Glasner's work, we know it will be difficult."
To be a part of the history of folklore, Spalletti added, what Napoli needs right now is to play as well as possible. He also asked his team not to let the opponent develop the game.
He admitted that he was optimistic even though the opportunity to qualify for the next round was still open to both teams.
"We will not underestimate Eintracht, the chances of qualifying are stilllevant, and we have to repeat the magical performance in the first leg. It was extraordinary, and it wasn't a hard thing to repeat."
"We need a head, heart and a bit of luck. Eintracht will try something different because they have to do it, so we have to be humble and ready to face anything," said Spalletti.
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