Naples, Spalletti: “I put on blacksmith glasses, I only look forward”

NAPLES – In the return from ex to Empoli there are not only the emotions of the amarcord for Luciano Spalletti. “I know the Tuscan club’s ability to play football and last season’s defeat at the Castellani stadium destroyed an entire season’s work for us. Vicario, Parisi and Baldanzi will soon find them in big teams. Full tires and maximum speed, therefore. And ‘ like when you have blacksmith glasses: you don’t see anything from the side, you only see what’s in front of you. We know we need to continue on the path we have taken and taking into account the difficulties that await us is a matter of great realism, certainly not superstition”, explained the Napoli coach on the eve, preparing with his usual attitude for the third away game in a row in eight days, after those in Reggio Emilia and Frankfurt. “Victories work better than massages and for now I don’t see any particularly tired players among my players, even if sooner or later someone will have to take a breather. I’m even referring to people who always have an excellent standard of performance, like Di Lorenzo, Lobotka and Osimhen”.

But Spalletti has had reassurances from his collaborators (“I have an extraordinary staff, with whom I have modulated the work in recent days”) and therefore the turnover in Empoli will be limited, with Mario Rui, Elmas, Politano and perhaps Juan Jesus in the running for a place among the holders. For Osimhen – who has scored in the league for 7 games in a row – a maximum of one relay is scheduled for the match in progress with Simeone. “We have a duty towards our fans to always give our best, without ever having a drop in tension.” The Azzurri therefore have no intention of speculating on the 15-point lead in the standings and against Empoli they will try to give continuity to their very long positive streak, taking another important step towards the Scudetto. “Everything seems simple from the outside, but from the inside we know that there are difficulties to overcome in every challenge. Presumption would be the end of our growth path”, reiterated the Tuscan coach, dedicating a thought to Maurizio Costanzo. “I learned of his passing and I am very sorry. He was an important television man, I am close to the pain of the family”.