Napoli coach responds to Guardiola’s praise: “I know these psychological games well”

Manchester City and Napoli advanced through the Champions League, after beating their opponents in the round of 16. City manager Pep Guardiola praised the Italian side and said they were perhaps “the best team in Europe”. However, Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti did not consider the comment positive and called it a “little game”.

“Napoli are perhaps the best team in Europe this season. Considering the style of play, they are close to Arsenal“, said Guardiola.

“What do I feel about it? Nothing. Proud? No. I am well aware of those psychological games that everyone plays to put pressure on others. Are we really going to put Napoli ahead of Manchester City? They spend 900 million euros compared to our 9 million. That means something, doesn’t it? It’s a ‘little game’ to mess with us and be able to knock us down”, replied the Napoli coach.

Spalletti’s speech came after Napoli’s historic classification this Wednesday, which took the team to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time. You blue they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in the first leg and defeated the Germans 3-0 in the return.

For the Italian Championship, Napoli is the isolated leader and has 18 points more than second place. This Sunday, Spalletti’s men face Torino away from home, for the 27th round.

I’m just like this my friends 🤪🤪🤪#NapoliEintracht 3-0
💙 #Go Napoli forever pic.twitter.com/4WPcZ5uUTO

— SSC Napoli Official (@sscnapoli_br) March 15, 2023

Manchester City is the vice-leader of the English Championship and are chasing Arsenal, who are five points clear. You Citizens qualified this Tuesday for the next phase of the Champions League, after thrashing Leipzig, from Germany, by 7-0.

This Friday, Uefa will hold the draw for the quarterfinals of the Champions League, starting at 8 am (Brasília time), in Switzerland.