Napoli director of sport Cristiano Giuntoli traveled to Salzburg along with Carlo Ancelotti and the squad for the Champions League encounter. Giuntoli spoke to Sky Sport ahead of the match, namely regarding the rumors tying Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the club: "Now we are thinking of the game. We are far away from the January transfer market. Consideration from a champion is obviously pleasing, but I never met him. I know that he speaks with Ancelotti, they have a good relationship. But the coach has done a lot for football so he hears from a lot of champions. To talk about Ibrahimovic in this moment seems wrong towards our own players."
He closed speaking of Manolas, who has not yet regained his place taken by Luperto: "We stuffed him with painkillers, but his side still hurt a lot and Ancelotti opted to let him sit in the stands. Salzburg plays very fast so for this reason it's better that those who take the field are in better condition."
