Gennaro Gattuso reveals he will make three or four changes in Napoli’s XI against AZ Alkmaar and admits the Covid situation is concerning.
"We know the sacrifices we made last year to qualify for Europa League. It’s an important competition for me, for the staff and for the club. We have to qualify for the next stage,” Gattuso said in a press conference at the eve of the game, also attended by the Partenopei star Dries Mertens.
Gennaro Gattuso reveals he will make three or four changes in Napoli’s XI against AZ Alkmaar and admits the Covid situation is concerning.
"We know the sacrifices we made last year to qualify for Europa League. It’s an important competition for me, for the staff and for the club. We have to qualify for the next stage,” Gattuso said in a press conference at the eve of the game, also attended by the Partenopei star Dries Mertens.
“I will make three or four changes. When I was the Milan coach I used to change 7-8 players and now I have an idea [about turnover].
“You have to make right choices and not change 9-10 players. We won’t do a lot of turnover in every game".
“We do not choose our targets,” he continued.
“I will always use the same line-up, we have already lost two players and when they return they will have to recover their best shape.”
Az Alkmaar have 13 players who are positive for Covid but the game will still go ahead.
“Fear is there, as there was with Genoa,” said Gattuso.
“At this moment there is fear even if you go out but football is a great business that is losing so much money between tickets and sponsors.
“We have to continue. There is fear and those who govern us will make their own decisions.”
Lorenzo Insigne is getting back from a muscular injury but is not fit to play yet.
“He spent 20 days on the sidelines, he must put gasoline in the legs training with continuity. I hope to always have these difficulties of choice, I am aware of coaching a strong team.
“Our group stage is difficult," Gattuso warned.
"Last year AZ were the best team in Holland together with Ajax and they only sold one player in the summer. They have problems with Covid but only one regular starter in attack will miss the game.
“At the moment the team is training with enthusiasm and with serenity. That’s the great thing about coaching this group".