Neapolitan writer and journalist Roberto Saviano was full of praise for Napoli’s performances this season but controversially believes ‘The Northern machine’ won’t let them win the title. Saviano famously penned books on Italian organised crime groups, detailed accounts of the global cocaine trade as well as his articles for l’Espresso, la Repubblica, The Post Internazionale and Western publications such as The Washington Post, The New York Times and Time.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport about Napoli and the Azzurri’s season, he shared his thoughts on the season to date and concerns about their title rivals:
“I really like this Napoli team because of the spirit with which they play. Spalletti is a soccer philosopher, he has built a real team.
Favourite player? Kvaratskhelia. My father had told me about him before Napoli thought about signing him. He had seen him in the Under 21’s. I like him because he doesn’t have the face of a footballer, but of a shy child playing on the street. Because he played in Russia, at the outbreak of the war he returned to his homeland, even at the cost of losing the attention of the wealthy German clubs.
Napoli did well to fit him in at the right time. For me he is someone who said no to Putin despite the pressure he was under when he was at Rubin Kazan.
My fears? As a fan: that they don’t make us win… Let the great machine that drives the Northern teams get going.
Second fear: how we will start again after the World Cup. There is only one thing worse than injuries: standing still.
The key game is against Inter, I’m not too worried about Juventus, Milan will be our main rivals for the title.”
