Former Napoli forward Gianfranco Zola believes coaches Luciano Spalletti and Max Allegri are playing a ‘psychological game’ ahead of Napoli-Juventus. The two sides occupy the top two places in the league and square off tonight at the Stadio Maradona in Naples. Both coaches have been speaking ahead of the game, with Allegri saying Napoli are the favourites, while Spalletti believes Juve’s spending puts them ahead.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Zola offered his own analysis of the match, who he expects to benefit most from a potential victory and why Gianluca Vialli’s death still weighs heavily on him:
Do you remember the Napoli v Juve in which you scored?
“It was 1992, we lost 3-2, I scored a goal at the end, but Vially has already scored for Juve. I still haven’t accepted that Luca is gone. With him a part of me has gone. What happened gives me the shivers. We had beautiful moments together at Chelsea. The melancholy does not go away even when remembering Napoli’s 3-1 victory in 1990, a few weeks before the 2nd Scudetto: ‘I was on the bench, Maradona scored a brace. When Diego and Careca were in that condition, stopping them was difficult’. The present is another Napoli-Juve with a Scudetto view.”
Does this match count more for Napoli or for Juve?
“For both and not only in terms of the standings but also on a psychological level. A win would change so much even if it wouldn’t be decisive. It is above all a match not to be missed.
Juve haven’t conceded a goal in eight games. Does that change anything for Napoli?
“I don’t think so. Napoli have their principles of play and a clear identity: they won’t distort themselves. I expect a balanced challenge. Watch out for Lobotka and Anguissa: the midfield is one of Napoli’s secrets. And for Chiesa, he splits matches.”
Are Kvaratskhelia’s unpredictability and imagination those of the classic number 10s?
“Yes, by now the number 10s have moved mainly to the flanks and he has the characteristics of the trequartisti of yesteryear. I also like him a lot because he is tactically tidy and diligent.”
Di Maria, instead of on the flank, should he move centrally behind the first striker.
“A choice dictated by two considerations. The first concerns the good performance of those who are playing on the flanks. The other, more important, concerns the possibility of Di Maria making a big impact in a central position thanks to his technique, experience and intelligence’.
Spalletti says Juve are stronger. Just a way to shift the focus?
“Yes, it’s a psychological game. Napoli is very strong and competitive also because of the depth of the squad’.
You played with Asprilla, who is very different from Osimhen.
“They can be assimilated for the sake of the game, but Faustino went deep with the ball at his feet and if he jumped ahead of you in the one-on-one, you wouldn’t catch him. Osimhen is exceptional in attacking spaces without the ball”.
Why do Juve create so little?
“A question of characteristics: they don’t create as much but concede less, like Allegri’s teams. The important thing is that the goals scored, though few, are decisive. And Allegri could also take a draw in Naples well: the hope of a comeback in the return leg would remain alive”.
Are you surprised by the streak of consecutive wins?
“The Champions League defeat in Israel was a blow from which almost no one would have recovered. Juve, on the other hand, got back on their feet: great merit from the coach and an enormous demonstration of personality and character from the group.”
What surprised you about Napoli?
“The ability to build from the bottom with quality and the ease in catching the opponents in their half of the field. Napoli look like a Spanish team.
Juve threw away the first two months, the Milanese have some problems. For Napoli, is this an opportunity not to be missed?
“Definitely. But it’s an opportunity that has created itself, not because of the misfortunes of others.”
Can the Champions League, which you commentate on for Prime Video, be a pleasant hindrance for Napoli or has the team reached the degree of maturity that allows them to chase two goals?
“We would like to have many pleasant hindrances like this. With the quality, the principles of play and the depth of the squad, Napoli can face both events with confidence.”
