Napoli, Spinazzola: Benfica stronger, but qualification still possible | OneFootball

Leonardo Spinazzola assesses Napoli's current situation with clarity and realism. The Napoli wingback spoke to Radio CRC, providing a detailed analysis of the European match against Benfica and then shifting focus to the crucial league match against Udinese.

Napoli, Spinazzola: “Benfica had more intensity, but qualification is still possible. Now focus solely on Udinese”

Spinazzola doesn't make excuses and immediately identifies the key aspect of the game in Lisbon: energy. “From the first minute, it was clear they had a different intensity: they got to the second balls first and won more duels. It's something we also reviewed in the meeting,” he explained.

According to the winger, Napoli mainly lacked physical sharpness, a crucial factor at this level. “We lacked a bit of leg power, and this was clearly evident,” he added. Despite the defeat, confidence remains intact: “We still believe in advancing in the Champions League; there are six points up for grabs, and everything is open.”

He also mentioned José Mourinho, encountered during the European journey: “I found him well, even rejuvenated,” he said with a smile.

Spinazzola then tackled the tactical theme, focusing on the differences between a four-man defense and a three-man defense. “With a three-man line, you're more covered because you add a heavyweight defender, but in transitions, it changes just right. Since the beginning of the year, we've been working a lot on man-to-man, so the basic concepts remain the same,” he clarified.

This signals continuity in Antonio Conte's work, which focuses on solidity and clarity of mechanisms, even during a period of close commitments.

The thought immediately turns to the next league match. For Spinazzola, there are no shortcuts: “There are no easy matches, not even on paper. If you don't bring intensity, aggression, and physicality, it becomes complicated against teams like Udinese.”

The Napoli wingback highlights the characteristics of the Friulians: “They are a tall, very physical team, and I believe it will be a tough match. The same attitude will be needed for ninety minutes.”

With a packed schedule, the key word becomes recovery. “Those who played ninety minutes must focus mainly on resting. The preparation for matches is similar to others, but close commitments are managed by taking care of every detail: nutrition, sleep, training, massages,” Spinazzola explained.

An invisible but essential work to maintain a high level of performance.

Finally, a look at the Super Cup, without losing focus: “We play for a trophy and to measure ourselves against a great team like Milan, but now we are only thinking about Udinese. It's crucial to bounce back immediately and erase the defeat against Benfica.”

The message is clear: Napoli wants to react immediately, starting from the league and focusing on concreteness, with the awareness that the season is still long and full of objectives.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.