"Lamine Yamal will become one of the best in the world"

Napoli coach Calzona said on Monday, ahead of the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona, that Barcelona striker Lamine Yamal can become "one of the best players in the world". 

"Lamine Yamal has the future qualities to become one of the best players in the world, no doubt. He is very young - he is 16 years old - and already looks like a veteran. If he doesn't lose his way, he has a good chance of becoming a top player in the world," said the Italian coach. 

Calzona praised Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who will be out through injury, describing him as a "modern, physical and technical" player. "I love him, he has everything, but Barcelona have a very large squad and will find a solution," he added.

The Italian coach said Napoli "have changed a lot" since his arrival: "We are a more compact team, who don't make so many concessions and create more chances. We're scoring a lot and we're defending up front. I don't like my team to run at the back. 

"This is a credit to the players, who have made incredible progress in recent weeks. The journey is not over, it is very long, and there is still a long way to go to become the team I would like us to be," he said. 

Regarding the first leg (1-1), Calzona said that Napoli played "a great team game" and, despite Barca's "extraordinary" staging, they improved "a lot" in the second half and only "failed to win". 

"Tomorrow is the most important game of the year for us. Among other things, because we have to recover in the league and this is an opportunity to improve, another stimulus," said the 'azzurro' coach.

Calzona concluded with an optimistic message: "If you're afraid, it's not worth showing up. We must have the courage to face strong and fit opponents (like Barca) with the awareness that we are strong. Napoli have to play as equals and try to win.

 

March 12, 2024