Ancelotti looks to get better of Reds
Naples ( Italy), Oct. 2: Four months have passed since Carlo Ancelotti arrived in Napoli after Maurizio Sarri’s departure for Chelsea with the promise of finding the missing piece in the jigsaw to end the southern Italian side’s near three- decade wait for the Scudetto.
The former AC Milan and Chelsea coach’s arrival was hailed by club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis as the start of a new era at San Paolo Stadium.
Under Sarri, Napoli came so close to toppling Juventus last season with a record 91 points.
Ancelotti — with a cabinet full of trophies won in five top European leagues — promised not “a revolution” but to add the finishing touches to give the team the final push.
But seven games into the Serie ‘ A’ campaign, Ancelotti’s side are already six points behind Juventus who are looking even stronger then ever with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Champions League — which Ancelotti had promised would not play second fiddle to their Scudetto ambitions as it had done under Sarri — has also gotten off to an uninspiring start with a goalless draw at Red Star Belgrade.
Three- time Champions League winner Ancelotti’s side host Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool on Wednesday in the San Paolo needing a win from a tough Group ‘ C’ which also includes Paris Saint- Germain.
Last weekend’s 1- 3 defeat to Juventus in Turin saw Napoli’s hopes of a third title and first since Diego Maradona’s days back in 1990 take a knock.
Ancelotti’s side have now lost two league games after falling 3- 0 to Sampdoria in their third match this season.
But they fought from two goals down to see off AC Milan in a comeback reminiscent of the days of Sarri’s reign.
Ancelotti, unlike Sarri, is known for tinkering with tactics and personnel, shifting away from his predecessor’s high pressing tactics.
Meanwhile, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said Cristiano Ronaldo’s one- match Champions League suspension was a welcome break for the Portuguese star to recharge after playing all matches since his move to Turin.
Ronaldo will sit out Tuesday’s European game in Turin against Swiss club Young Boys after his controversial sending off after half an hour in Valencia. Juventus went on to win the match 2- 0.
“I’m curious to see the team without Ronaldo, although I already saw that in Valencia.
“It’s good that he will be with us in Manchester but it’s important that he rests as he’s already played a lot of games for us,” Allegri said. — Agencies