«He asked me for a sabbatical year»- Corriere.it

BOLOGNA The tone is subdued, but the jabs are always on the tip of the tongue. Spalletti’s smile is mocking, the emotion for the scudetto won so early resists the heat and the days that prelude the farewell. Luciano remains the mirror of his Naples, which at Dall’Ara thrives on gustsdoes not hunt for records and surrenders to the enthusiasm of Bologna who still want to climb the standings.

The Napoli team is satisfied but tired, while De Laurentiis is in great form and steals the show a few hours after the match in Fabio Fazio’s living room: «I was the first to believe in the Scudetto and to buy players for Spalletti». Yes, the coach who leaves. «What was I to do – insists Aurelio – he asked me to go, he told me he had given his all, he wanted a gap year and I’m being generous.’ Thus reveals the meeting at dinner a few weeks ago when they said goodbye. Justify the divorce. Spalletti’s reply will not be long in coming.

The team drew a game that they could have won — the double advantage would have allowed them to do so — but which they could then also lose because Thiago Motta’s team is not satisfied and goes on a frantic search for a mockery until added time. The icing on the Scudetto cake is Osimhen’s brace, which takes him to 25 points in the league and secures the top scorer.

«He will become a top player, he will be the strongest I have coached», confesses Lucio who has his gaze lost in emotion. And then he goes on to talk about Kim: «I hope he stays at Napoli next year». Lucio is leaving, and pampers his men to the end. He resumes the feline flicker when the conversation slips on De Laurentiis and his last warning (“staying at Naples is a privilege not an obligation”). «I don’t care – says the Napoli coach – I’m too concentrated on celebrating with my people and my players». No controversy, what is perceived once again is the distance from the president. Pure Aurelio is already beyond, waiting for the yes of Luis Enrique. On Spalletti: «He is a great coach, not one who chooses the players». And he announces: «I will buy Japanese footballers».