The Diego Armando Maradona stadium, the bustling lair of Victor Osimhen’s partners, is the scene, this season, of the most beautiful course in the history of the Neapolitans in the Champions League. The transalpine club broke its glass ceiling by rising to the quarter-finals of the C1 on Wednesday evening. The Italians flew over their double confrontation against Eintracht Frankfurt (2-0 victory in the first leg and 3-0 in the return). They will know their future opponent this Friday.
Obviously, none of the seven other teams still in contention in the competition wants to inherit Napoli. First in their championship with an 18-point lead, Luciano Spalletti’s side have had a fantastic run. Beyond the results, the proposed game is licked. “Nobody imagined a season like this, not even Spalletti, confides the journalist of Radio Punto Nuovo Alessandro Montano, follower of the Neapolitans on a daily basis. First of all, we have to take a step back and go back to the summer of 2022. There were a lot of departures and reinforcements, many fans were skeptical. »
Top recruits
The Azzurri have, in fact, separated from key elements, such as Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea) or Fabian Ruiz (PSG). But to replace them, the recipe concocted by Spalletti has proven famous. “Something really incredible is happening, one of the most beautiful in the history of the club”, continues Alessandro Montano. Some players, already there last season, give their full potential, like Victor Osimhen. But new ones, like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for example, have also changed the game. A clever alchemy in a way.
“Of course, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia are among the best in the world this year,” says the journalist. But I will name three other players. Defender Kim Min-Jae chose Napoli over Rennes. In the middle, Stanislav Lobotka closes in on Xavi and Iniesta. And I’m a huge Iniesta fan, so I measure the reach of my words! (laughs) Finally, Giovanni Di Lorenzo is among the best right-backs in Europe. He has both feet, the technique, the physique. He was a striker, that helps him with the ball. »
Hours before the draw for the Champions League quarter-finals, Napoli look like a real scarecrow. Bayern, City or Real Madrid, none of the usual favorites, however, has really stood out so far. So the Italian club, best attack of the event with 25 goals scored, arouses fear. “They can go very far. But in the Champions League, anything can happen. It’s very difficult, not like Serie A which is played over the long term, ”analyzes Alessandro Montano.
“We would still be talking about it in a thousand years! »
A championship in the spotlight since, for the first since 2006, Italy is sending three representatives to the quarter-finals of the C1. The two Milan clubs accompany the formation of the south of the boot. “In Serie A, the other teams are not at the level. And Naples does not have the millions of Inter. However, he has an 18-point lead, ”points out Alessandro Montano.
The journalist has his opinion on a good draw. “I think Benfica would be perfect for Napoli. But I would prefer Chelsea. It’s a top club with a lot of worries at the moment. In the meantime, Alessandro Montano soaks up the fervor of the city. “The atmosphere is electric, it’s historic. Everyone celebrates. If Naples won the Champions League, we would still be talking about it in a thousand years! The Italian club has the weapons to dream of it.