Napoli head coach Carlo Ancelotti has admitted their pre-season friendly against Liverpool was a learning curve for his side ahead of tonight’s clash after they were hammered 5-0, the Belfast Telegraph reports.
Liverpool demolished Napoli 5-0 when the two sides met at the Aviva Stadium in August, with the Reds’ goals coming from James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum, Mo Salah, Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno.
Ancelotti highlighted the pre-season defeat to Liverpool ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash against the Reds and deemed them as one of the best teams in the world.
The Dublin match is an experience, it has taught us many things, for example how not to play against Liverpool.
It was a friendly, we did not want to focus on the opponent.
The test will be very difficult, we will not have much time to think about what to do on the pitch, but we have a lot of confidence and we will do it.
Liverpool have improved a lot, they managed to reach the final last year and they have started the season very well.
I think they have become one of the strongest teams in Europe. They have a great physical condition, play with intensity and overcome the challenges of the Champions League.
Ancelotti said he was surprised by the appointment of Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai for tonight’s Champions League clash between the two sides.
Ancelotti criticised Kassai in April 2017 by saying he “wasn’t up to the task” when he took charge of a Champions League quarter-final between his then-Bayern Munich side and Real Madrid, with Arturo Vidal sent off for Bayern.
Kassai reminds me of a bad memory and I am surprised by this appointment. Not a long time has passed. Time heals things, but does not cancel them.
