Napoli defeated Genoa 2-0, and can now focus their energy on the Champions League. Maurizio Sarri analyzed the match in the following fashion during an interview with Sky Sport: "We played a hard-fought match; our opponent pressured us, and this caused the team to make more mistakes than usual in the first 25 minutes. We then began to create a lot and concede little to our opponents allowing us to achieve victory. Nonetheless, it was a serious and mature match. I consider this to be a step forward."
On Real: "In this moment we are doing well physically and mentally. Then, of course, we are going to play against the world champions. We do not know if we are at the level to play a truly competitive match; we must confront the match with a slight amount of fear so that it can allow us to properly approach the game, because if we play the match filled entirely with fear, then this will certainly cost us. If you approach the match with trepidation, then you risk a lot. We will see if we are at the level to play against them. The game against Real will require attention, application, and a lot of nerve. We must go there with the intention of discovering who we are. Mertens? He is a player who can be devastating for 10-15 minutes, if he plays with the team and makes good runs. Then it is clear that even I prefer when he resolves games for me."
