Ancelotti calls for ‘courage and intelligence’ from Napoli
Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti has demanded “courage, intelligence and heart” from his team as they attempt to overturn a two-goal deficit against Arsenal in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Bidding to win their first European trophy since a Diego Maradona-inspired side won the old Uefa Cup in 1989, Napoli host the Premier League side today in the second leg of their tie, trailing 2-0 from last week’s first match.
Man of the match Aaron Ramsey, who will join Napoli’s Serie A rivals Juventus on a free transfer this summer – opened the scoring for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium after 14 minutes.
Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly then scored an own goal nine minutes later to leave Napoli facing an uphill struggle at the San Paolo Stadium tonight.
“In three words, we need courage, intelligence and heart,” Ancelotti said. “I saw only a little courage in the early stages of the first game. Intelligence, I saw in both halves of the match. Heart is something we will put in tomorrow.
“In addition, we need a significant dose of intensity. We must seize this opportunity, we need a positive mental attitude and, I repeat, a lot of heart. And there will be an extraordinary environment to drag us.”
Napoli went into a so-called “ritiro” – where the team are confined to the club’s training complex or hotel – after their 3-1 Serie A win at Chievo on Sunday, although Ancelotti said he was not in favour.
“Were the players against it? No, in reality, it was me who didn’t want it,” he said. “Generally, I’m against the ‘ritiro’, because the players are better off at home than on the computer or social media.”
“Napoli are the only [Italian] team left in Europe and I hope that is still the case on Friday. Napoli will put in a great display. I believe we can do it.”
Ancelotti has won the Champions League three times, twice with AC Milan and once with Real Madrid, but has never won Europe’s second competition.
But he is lucky his side are still in with a chance after a sloppy display in north London. “It will be a different environment with our home crowd behind us,” he said after the match. “I’m confident.”
Arsenal midfielder Denis Suarez has not travelled to Italy as he is struggling with a groin problem.
The Spaniard has struggled to adapt to life in England since joining on loan from Barcelona in January, and has made just six substitute appearance for Unai Emery’s team.
His last outing came over a month ago and Suarez, who has been linked with a move to Napoli, wasn’t even on the bench for the 1-0 Premier League win over Watford on Monday.
His only start for Arsenal so far came against Arabian Gulf League side Al-Nasr earlier this month in a warm weather training camp in Dubai, when he played the full 90 minutes.
Arsenal, meanwhile, returned to the top four with that victory over Watford, moving them into the Uefa Champions League qualification places.
Winning the Europa League also provides a spot in Europe’s premier club competition, but midfielder Granit Xhaka suggested Arsenal will prioritise finishing in the top four over the European trophy.
“We want to stay in the top four and we want to be in the Champions League next season. For me, the Premier League comes first and if you can go to the final and take the Europa League, of course it is nice as well,” he said.
“We need different character away. It is not always easy to play, we have to take on the duels, we have to win the duels, and if you do that you can win the game.”