MILAN:
Teacher of Naples Luciano Spalletti said his players were reeling from what he saw as an early warning despite knowing victory over Lazio on Friday would see them go 21 points clear in Serie A.
The league leaders have won 8 games in a row and 19 of their last 20 in the top flight – a run that began with a 2-1 win at Lazio on 3 September.
“We are not listening to those who want to take our hands off the wheel and start having fun, because there are still twists and changes to come,” said Spalletti.
“Our fans should go to the field with us and not wait for us at the finish line.”
Napoli is closing in on a first Serie A crown since the days of Diego Maradona, who inspired the club to just two leagues in 1987 and 1990.
They have dropped just seven points in 24 games this season and midfielder Eljif Elmas recorded that Naples no intention of slowing down.
“Eighteen points is a big one but the truth is we are not looking at the table because we want to try to win all the games we have left,” he said. by Elmas on Radio Kiss Kiss.
“We are playing good football and our aim is to keep the pace and continue what we are doing because we deserve to be where we are.
“We are not complacent and we will never be complacent.”
Lazio is back in the Champions League after beating Salernitana and Sampdoria but Roma, in fifth place, will be keen to avenge their midweek defeat at Cremonese.
Roma will be without Jose Mourinho for Saturday’s visit of Juventus after the Portuguese coach was hit with a two-match ban after receiving his third red card of the season against Cremonese.
“I’m emotional but not stupid,” Mourinho said. The league said after the game he also “entered the referees’ dressing room without permission and made serious comments”.
“For the first time in my career a referee has spoken to me in an inappropriate way,” added Mourinho.
“In order to respond like that, there has to be something that happened, we have to see if we can do something from a punitive point of view.”
AC Milan have recovered from a terrible start to 2023 by winning their four games in all competitions without conceding.
Stefano Pioli’s side face Fiorentina on Saturday before next week’s second leg against Tottenham in the last 16 of the Champions League, while Inter Milan host Lecce on Sunday.
The French midfielder made his first competitive appearance since April as Juventus beat Torino 4-2 in the Turin derby on Tuesday.
Pogba injured his right knee in the pre-season in July shortly after returning to Juve after six years at Manchester United.
The 29-year-old won four Serie A titles in as many seasons during his first spell in Italy, and Juve hope his recovery can help the club make a breakthrough for a position that top four after a 15-point deduction for eligibility. activity.
8 – consecutive league games in which Victor Osimhen has scored for Napoli. The Nigerian is Serie A’s top scorer this season with 19 goals – six more than nearest rival Lautaro Martinez.
30 – Cremonese’s 2-1 win at Roma broke the longest winless streak for a club in Italian history. Ancona also went 30 Serie A games without a win between 1993 and 2004.
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