Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti has declared that Marek Hamsik’s ‘metamorphosis’ into a deep-lying playmaker is ‘complete’.

The Partenopei’s match against Udinese kicks off at 19:30 BST on Saturday – click here for a preview.

“The Champions League doesn’t influence my choices,” the Coach said at a Press conference.

Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti has declared that Marek Hamsik’s ‘metamorphosis’ into a deep-lying playmaker is ‘complete’.

The Partenopei’s match against Udinese kicks off at 19:30 BST on Saturday – click here for a preview.

“The Champions League doesn’t influence my choices,” the Coach said at a Press conference.

“Tomorrow is an important match. Our absolute priority is the trip to Udine. Luperto, Ounas and Insigne are out. [Insigne] has nothing serious, but he’s not available.

“He’ll stay back and we’ll see if he can recover for Wednesday. He should do, but we’re not sure.

“In any case, we’ll only think about PSG after Sunday: until tomorrow the priority is to beat Udinese.

“Udinese have a precise identity, they defend themselves in an organised manner and can catch you on the break.

“Lasagna is dangerous in that regard, but we’ll prepare an appropriate strategy. We must have the mental clarity to express all the potential we have so it’ll be easier to win.

“I’ll give priority to the players who stayed behind, although Milik and Zielinski have had time to recover.

“I’ll assess the others’ fatigue. Mentality must be built, it helps us in matches like the one against Liverpool.

“It’s the players who go out and their belief grows with their performances, not what I tell them.

“Here I feel at ease. There’s passion and comfort, and they’re the reasons why I joined Napoli. Those reasons were quickly confirmed.

“The club want to grow and are doing so. My priority is doing well here, I’m feeling good in Naples, I’ve said it many times.

“The President and everyone else also feel good. We’re on a path that has just begun, but we’ll see if we can do even better in the future.

“Mertens still has room to grow. He’s definitely improved, but I’m not talking just physically. I expect consistency from him, although he and Milik have done better as substitutes.

“I expect them to do well from the start, like the others: they’re a team who have the potential to do that.

“Hamsik’s new role? Mission accomplished, his metamorphosis into ‘regista’ is complete. 

“He can still improve, above all, from a mental perspective, but he’s so intelligent that he’s able to play there.

“Ghoulam has been working with his teammates for 10 days, it’s just a matter of time. Meret has the doctors’ ‘OK’ and now needs a period of adaptation.

“I’ll assess him from a technical point of view, but he’ll have to adapt to contact and powerful shots.

“I don’t know [about bringing back the No 10]. You know better than me what Maradona represented, but it’ll be necessary to ask him if someone can wear that number.

“Barella? He’s like a young Ancelotti but much better!” 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tickets Kit Collector