|
|
Napoli are Juventus' main threat - Zola backing former club to be Serie A challengers
Sep 9, 2012 7:50:00 PM
The ex-Partenopei player believes the Naples club are The Old Lady's biggest contenders along with Roma, but feels Milan and Inter are not strong enough to challenge
Watford coach Gianfranco Zola believes Napoli are Juventus' main obstacle in retaining their Serie A title.The ex-Azzurri player, who spent four years in Naples as a player, does not think Milan or Inter are strong enough to challenge, but feels Roma could also be darkhorses in the race for the Scudetto.
"Because Milan did not reinforce and Inter don't seem superior to their status last season, there could be room for teams like Napoli and Roma," the former Chelsea star told Il Mattino.
Milan are currently reeling from the losses of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, while Inter have lost long-standing veterans in Maicon and Julio Cesar.
He is also impressed with the form of 21-year-old Lorenzo Insigne, who has come in to fill the void caused by Ezequiel Lavezzi's departure to Paris Saint-Germain.
"I saw him play or Pescara last season. I like him a great deal and hope he has the chance to play and grow at Napoli," stated Zola.
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Related Stories
Live!
Champions League final - LIVE!
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.
10:56 PM BST
Sir Alex Ferguson also has a new job... Well, kind of. The former Manchester United boss was entrusted with the honour of presenting the man of the match award after the game and relished the task: "It's my first job since I retired and it's a pleasure!"
Robben humbly received his accolade before commenting: "I think it’s such a shame a world-class trainer is leaving the game." Quite.
Robben humbly received his accolade before commenting: "I think it’s such a shame a world-class trainer is leaving the game." Quite.
10:51 PM BST
Heynckes, class act that he is, was also quick to empathise with a devastated Dortmund.
"I told their players: I know your disappointment after losing a final. I lost a final to Liverpool, too.
"During the first half we had trouble to get into the game. At half-time a adjusted our play. I think both teams felt pressure. If you see that you have a 25-point-lead in the league, it is normal you are the favourite. But after 30 minutes we freed ourselves.
"Over the past year, we improved and improved. We improved and modified so many details. I was stricter and I have to say that the players followed me and there is harmony in the dressing room."
"I told their players: I know your disappointment after losing a final. I lost a final to Liverpool, too.
"During the first half we had trouble to get into the game. At half-time a adjusted our play. I think both teams felt pressure. If you see that you have a 25-point-lead in the league, it is normal you are the favourite. But after 30 minutes we freed ourselves.
"Over the past year, we improved and improved. We improved and modified so many details. I was stricter and I have to say that the players followed me and there is harmony in the dressing room."
10:48 PM BST
And finally we get to hear from Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes, who will be replaced by Pep Guardiola this summer.
The big news is, though, that he seems to have a job lined up for himself, which restores one's faith in our fickle game, given the man is now a two-time Champions League winner!
"The decision on what I will do after the DFB Pokal match (against Stuttgart next saturday) was already taken last June? Retire? No, you will learn that after the DFB Pokal final."
The big news is, though, that he seems to have a job lined up for himself, which restores one's faith in our fickle game, given the man is now a two-time Champions League winner!
"The decision on what I will do after the DFB Pokal match (against Stuttgart next saturday) was already taken last June? Retire? No, you will learn that after the DFB Pokal final."
10:43 PM BST
Here's a snap feature from the brilliant Kris Voakes, who praises Arjen Robben for finally conquering his demons to secure European glory for Bayern Munich.
10:41 PM BST
Philipp Lahm is also relieved that Bayern have finally banished the memory of their heart-breaking - and thoroughly undeserved - loss to Chelsea last season.
"We worked unbelievably hard in last year's final and finally we have been rewarded," the Roten skipper enthused.
"We had to got through so much. But everybody worked so hard in the last months and weeks and now we have finally won it."
"We worked unbelievably hard in last year's final and finally we have been rewarded," the Roten skipper enthused.
"We had to got through so much. But everybody worked so hard in the last months and weeks and now we have finally won it."
Inside Goal.Com
-
Player Ratings: Dortmund 1-2 Bayern
Goal.com rates the players on show as die Roten edge out their Bundesliga rivals to complete the double after a closely contested Champions League final at Wembley
-
Robben is finally Bayern's braveheart
The winger was the driving force behind the German outfit's triumph after years of playing second fiddle in the final
-
Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
-
Top 10 Champions League Final Moments
As Europe braces itself for an all German classic at Wembley on Saturday, Goal.com takes a look back at some of the iconic moments in the history of Uefa's showpiece event since its rebranding in 1992.
-
Transfer Talk: Mourinho wants Isco at Chelsea
Get your daily dose of all the speculation from around the globe as clubs cast their eye towards summer reinforcements
