Napoli’s Politano: Learned from Eindhoven, now to push in Champions | OneFootball

On the eve of the Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt, scheduled for tomorrow at 18:45 at the "Diego Armando Maradona," Matteo Politano spoke at a press conference alongside coach Antonio Conte.

Napoli, Politano fired up: “After Eindhoven, we learned our lesson, now we need to go strong in the Champions League”

The Neapolitan winger spoke with his usual clarity, focusing on the team's condition and their growth journey.

“We still need to prepare for this match in the best way possible,” Politano explained. “Yesterday, those who played had a recovery session, this afternoon we will work on the details to be ready. I always try to give my best on the field, even though playing every three days makes it difficult to maintain the same level. There are games where I perform better and others a bit less, but the effort is always there. In the last two years, we have always tried to honor the jersey we wear to the fullest.”

“After Eindhoven, we needed a wake-up call: in the Champions League, you can't afford distractions”

The number 21 of Napoli also reflected on the heavy defeat against PSV Eindhoven, which had left its mark on Napoli's European journey: “We took a hard hit, and we need to remember it,” he admitted. “In the Champions League, you face strong teams used to playing at high intensity. If you don't go as strong as they do, you risk making a bad impression. That match taught us a lot.”

Politano then highlighted the team's reaction: “We did well to bounce back, winning against Lecce and Inter and securing a point on Saturday. But we know that's not enough: we must always go strong because only in this way can we continue to win and grow as a team.”

Mentality and continuity: the keys to European redemption

The Campanian winger emphasized the importance of mentality as a strength of Conte's Napoli: “The coach demands intensity and focus in every training session. In the Champions League, it's not just the champions who make the difference, but the ability to stay focused and aggressive for 90 minutes. Tomorrow we face a strong team, but we have everything to do well.”

Politano is a key figure in Napoli's offensive trio, appreciated for his ability to adapt to different tactical needs. For this reason, Conte has praised him multiple times for his professionalism and consistent performance.

And finally: “We must only think about ourselves and keep working. The Champions League is a great opportunity, but it must be faced with hunger and courage. I always try to give my best for Napoli and our fans.”

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