Champions League: Naples-Liverpool, "very exciting" for Ancelotti

Naples (Italy) (AFP)

Coach Carlo Ancelotti of Naples spoke of a "very exciting" test on Monday, on the eve of a reunion in the Champions League with European champion Liverpool, which the Italian technician has placed as a favorite.

. Qualification objective

Carlo Ancelotti: "This is the beginning of this group and our objective is very clear, it is to get out of the pool, we are facing the best team of the group and the best team in Europe. of Europe have not had any failures this season.They are full of points.It is a test difficult but very exciting.Will Liverpool be a favorite? The champion of Europe is favorite in general. yes, Liverpool are favorites, they have improved in terms of confidence, as always when you win, they play automatically, they know all their movements perfectly. "

. Memories of last season

Ancelotti: "We can use what we did well and less well last year, the defensive aspect, for example, was very good last season, but we also have quality players and to win these kinds of matches, these players also have to show this quality, Liverpool has improved, the team has gained a lot of certainty last season, we have progressed, we have a group that has more quality. that it will be a match of the same level as last year, with a lot of intensity and, hopefully, with the same result (victory 1-0, ed). "

. Coaching duel

Ancelotti: "The difference is the players on the field who do it, the coaches must try not to do too much damage, there are two categories of coaches, the ones who do the damage and the ones who get to have an impact on their team. "

. Ancelotti, Llorente and Liverpool

Ancelotti: "Liverpool is a team that is linked to some of my biggest disappointments, the 1984 UEFA Champions League final with Roma or the 2005 AC Milan final, but also some of my greatest joys, such as the This is a team that inspires me with sympathy, because playing at Anfield is always a unique emotion. "

Fernando Llorente (Napoli striker, beaten by Liverpool in the final of the last C1 with Tottenham): "It was very painful to lose this final There is a desire for revenge, yes, but it is especially the opportunity to show that you can be at the level of a team as strong as Liverpool. "

. The San Paolo effect

Ancelotti: "The mood has a lot to do with Anfield for them and I hope it can be the same for us with the San Paolo, and last season they lost all three away games. But I think they are stronger and more attentive. "

Interviewed at a press conference

© 2019 AFP