Napoli boss Rudi Garcia believes that AC Milan are a very different side compared to last season, while he also addressed some of his previous disputes with Stefano Pioli.
It was all change for Napoli in the summer after their Scudetto win as Luciano Spalletti left as the head coach while sporting director Giuntoli also departed and went to Juventus.
Garcia was the man hired by president Aurelio De Laurentiis to take on the tough task of trying to defend the crown as champions of Italy, but so far they have struggled to hit the same heights.
Nonetheless, they meet a Milan side who are in second but have lost two big head-to-head games this season against Inter and Juventus, as well as against PSG in midweek.
On the eve of the game between Milan and Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Garcia spoke to reporters at his pre-match press conference. His comments were relayed by MilanNews.
Does Friday represent the match for you after this start to the season? With the big games you have lost so far…
“The truth is about the 13 matches since the start of the season, including Milan. It’s more logical to think like this. We face a direct opponent, we have a great desire to win it, at home, to make an interesting streak. My players know this : only by winning consecutive games can we improve our league position.”
Last year, Milan were the team that caused Napoli the most difficulty. Did you study those matches? How do you plan to deal with them?
“The two teams are different, the season is different, if I answer with irony… many say that this year’s Napoli is different from last year so it can’t be the same matches with Milan (smiles)”
It’s important to improve your home performance, you’ve already lost 3…
“Yes, we’re strong away from home, we’ve always had useful or successful results, at home we have to improve, I agree.”
How will you stop Milan’s left side?
“Yes [they are strong], but we also have two strong flanks, we are focusing on our qualities”.
You didn’t get along well with Pioli after a derby, did you clarify or did you ever cross paths?
“Now it’s another time, they were different teams, different experiences. It’s an old story, he’s an excellent coach.”
Has Anguissa recovered well enough to be able to play from the start? Can Cajuste redeem us?
“Cajuste was among the best on the pitch in Verona, he wasn’t in Berlin but he doesn’t lose my trust for part of the match. Then Elmas did well when he came on.
“Anguissa doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs, if he starts then he will have to come off or if he doesn’t start he will be able to have the right minutes to get back into the rhythm.”
Mourinho said that Inter are the strongest team in the league, do you agree?
“It has nothing to do with tomorrow’s match, I’m happy to answer about Napoli-Milan. We’re not even a quarter of the way in the championship, everything still needs to be done.”
