MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 02:46:09| >> :120:16675:16675:
[monks data]
Attendance: 36,525
Roma logo
Serie A | Gameweek 29
Mar 31, 2019 at 2pm UK
 
Napoli logo

1-4

Perotti (45' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-1)
Milik (2'), Mertens (50'), Verdi (55'), Younes (81')

Carlo Ancelotti: 'Napoli focussed on league rather than Arsenal'

Ancelotti: 'Napoli focussed on league rather than Arsenal'
© Reuters
Napoli face the Gunners in the Europa League next month but first must tackle Roma.

Carlo Ancelotti insists it is far too soon to think about Arsenal as he prepares his Napoli side for Sunday's Serie A trip to Roma.

Napoli face the Gunners in the Europa League quarter-finals next month.

That competition is now Napoli's only realistic hope of silverware this season as they trail Serie A leaders Juventus by 15 points.

But Ancelotti does not want to see his team's grip on second place loosened and is wary of a Roma side pushing for Champions League qualification.

Ancelotti told reporters at his pre-match press conference: "Going with the thought of the London game would be crazy. Let's think about tomorrow's match and face Roma with the right attitude.

"From Roma, I expect a big game. They are under a lot of pressure these days and this will lead the players to be motivated and eager to give their best. We must play with courage and intensity."

Ancelotti, the veteran former boss of AC Milan, Juventus, Chelsea, Paris St Germain, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, is also a revered figure at Roma following his successful playing career.

The game marks his first return to the Stadio Olimpico as an opposition manager since he left Milan in 2009.

The 59-year-old said: "They represent something special for my career, I was there for eight years. That period there remains in my heart."

Napoli, who have a seven-point cushion over third-placed Inter Milan, will be without striker Lorenzo Insigne due to a muscle problem but he could return for the midweek trip to Empoli.

Ancelotti will come up against another experienced campaigner in Claudio Ranieri, the former Fulham manager who took caretaker charge of Roma earlier this month.

The 67-year-old's aim is to secure a top-four spot. His side are currently fifth with a four-point gap to make up on AC Milan.

Ranieri is demanding a response after criticising the team following their loss to SPAL last time out.

Ranieri said on the club's website, www.asroma.com: "If I used strong words, it's because I expect a strong reaction from the team.

"As a coach, you always do things for a reason. What I expect from the Roma players, who are very good players, is a big show of character.

"I believe this team has the potential to fight for a place in the Champions League. There are sides above us who are going strong but I hope my players can respond to any adversity."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Andy Hampson, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '6e9ffd47-f3a5-40ef-9e25-a7e1ee94240a');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Ancelotti keeps focus on Serie A rather than Arsenal'});

ID:354779: cacheID:354779:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5089:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren celebrates scoring against Newcastle United on December 26, 2018
Read Next:
Italian trio interested in Dejan Lovren?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter Milan29244171145776
2AC Milan29195555332262
3Juventus29178444232159
4Bologna29159542251754
5Roma29156855352051
6Atalanta BCAtalanta28145951321947
7Napoli29129844331145
8Fiorentina2812794132943
9Lazio29134123633343
10Monza2911993236-442
11Torino29101182826241
12Genoa29810113136-534
13Lecce29610132645-1928
14Udinese29415102844-1627
15Hellas VeronaHellas Verona2968152639-1326
16CagliariCagliari2968152950-2126
17Empoli2967162243-2125
18FrosinoneFrosinone2966173760-2324
19SassuoloSassuolo2965183356-2323
20Salernitana2928192359-3614

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!