Interviews

PRANDELLI PREVIEWS NAPOLI V FIORENTINA

Coach Prandelli speaks ahead of the Serie A away game at Napoli.

16 January 2021

Coach Cesare Prandelli speaks ahead of the away game at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, as Fiorentina face Napoli on Matchday 18 in Serie A.

ON THE FRANCHI -  "Regarding the stadium, it's bad for Italian football [that we cannot work on the Franchi to rebuild it]. I hope Commisso doesn't lose his enthusiasm. We're lucky to have him - he wants to do a lot for Fiorentina. Commisso wants to build the home of Fiorentina, the new training ground, a new stadium. This is vital to become a team players want to go to, on an international level. It shows a vision for the future. I am convinced Commisso can be an innovator of Calcio. When a great entrepreneur wants to invest money, it may alter the balance of a system. This is all I can say. I am a coach, that is my job."

ON NAPOLI - "Everyone loved Maradona, he made kids dream for generations, he is a footballing icon. Playing in a stadium named after him says it all - it's a special emotion. The team is doing well and working to show we can do something important in the future. Against a great side [like Napoli] I want to see a team that plays attacking football, with clear ideas and the will to overcome our problems. The injured players are recovering, but I still don't know who is ready for Napoli. Napoli have been playing together for many years, they know each other. They have extraordinary technical skills. We mustn't sit too deep, or we'll be suffering."

ON THE TEAM - "Ribery and Callejon bring quality, so I want to continue seeing their quality on the pitch. My job is to put the players in the best condition to show their quality, especially the likes of Ribery and Callejon. But I must make sure having them on the pitch doesn't break the balance of the team. Having the President physically here is important. When he isn't here we have important people with us, but with him it's an extra motivation. The players know they must be fully concentrated. I always said Kouame is very motivated, serious, professional and hard-working. We're here to help him improve. Christian is a modern second-striker, he can play down the middle or on the wings. Martinez Quarta can play everywhere in a back three or four. He works hard every single day, he asks questions, he wants to improve. Just like Igor. They are both starters for me. Terracciano's new deal was automatic - he deserves it."

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