The former Juventus boss hails the improvement made by Walter Mazzarri’s side over the last year, and reveals nerves for the former Porto boss
Former Italian national team boss, Marcello Lippi, has revealed that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 manager, Andre Villas Boas, fears Napoli ahead of the UEFA Champions League encounter.
The Partenopei side is set to host the Blues in first of the two-legged last 16 round clash of the Champions League later this month. Despite their recent struggles in the Serie A, Lippi believes that Walter Mazzarri’s side is
a different class in Europe. He believes that the Italian outfit has grown a lot over the last year, and have recognised themselves amongst the elites of Europe.
While talking to Radio Kiss Kiss http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003, Lippi said,
“Napoli are not suffering, we must look on the bright side. They are growing each year. Last year they were in a unique position as they fought for the title, so it is normal that fans are building up excessive expectations. But,
if we look at this year, we realise that Napoli still have produced extraordinary things.”
The veteran tactician revealed that he met Boas during UEFA pro license course in Glasgow, and the Blues boss told him that he is scared of the Partenopei side.
“Then there will be the quarter-final against Chelsea. Last month in Glasgow at a meeting of Coaches, I met Villas Boas and he was very concerned about the match against the Azzurri.” added the former Juventus boss
Walter Mazzarri’s men are placed 7th in the league table with 31 points from 22 matches played thus far. However, the 63-year-old is confident that Napoli will improve on their league position and will end up in the
top three come the end of the season.
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan boss insisted that the Azzurri deserve the recognition, as they had a superb league campaign where they finished third, followed by a hugely successful Champions League this year.
Napoli have also qualified for the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia where they will play Siena in the first-leg on Thursday, February 9, 2012.
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