It’s not what Rangers or their supporters wanted to hear right now. But when they take on Napoli at Ibrox in the Champions League, they’ll be facing the BEST footballing side in Italy. That’s the verdict of former Gers defender Sergio Porrini.
He watched Luciano Spalletti’s side destroy Liverpool on match day one in Group A, with a thumping 4-1 victory. Porrini knew Napoli were a talented outfit. But given the circumstances, he was still left gobsmacked by the manner of the win over Jurgen Klopp’s men.
And that spells serious danger for Rangers. Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his players have been put through the wringer recently after successive 4-0 defeats to Celtic and Ajax.
Porrini, who spent four years in Glasgow and won every domestic trophy with the club, would never rule out his old side on home soil. But he’s convinced that, after their display against Liverpool, no-one in Serie A can match Napoli’s style of play.
Porrini, a Champions League winner with Juventus, told MailSport : “Napoli have changed a lot. They lost players up front like Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens. They wanted to reduce the age of the team. They also wanted to lower the wage bill.
“So the club looked for younger, skilful players in the summer, like the Georgian
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. And at the moment, I believe Napoli are the team who play the best football in Italy. Along with AC Milan, they’re the best side to watch.
“In the two Serie A matches before Liverpool, they had two draws and got some criticism from the press and supporters. But they made up for it against Liverpool. I didn’t think they could win that match like they did. I was surprised by how easy it was for them.
“I expected much more from Liverpool. Napoli are still a young team, with new players like the defender Kim Min-jae in defence. But they did so well against Liverpool. They have so much enthusiasm. I expected them to play a good match – but not to win so comfortably.
“They were brilliant. It was the best performance last week from an Italian team in Europe. AC Milan, Inter and Juventus all struggled in their opening matches. So it will be tough for Rangers.
“But I still think they have a chance on Tuesday. They’ve been unlucky with this draw. This group – with Ajax, Liverpool and Napoli – is so strong so it’s difficult for Rangers.
“But it’s different for any team going to Ibrox. Rangers can beat Napoli, of course. They have been in a bad moment but they have a chance if they play a great match. Napoli are a good team but in football, it’s always possible for something different to happen.”
The crowd at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona played their part in Napoli’s memorable win over Liverpool in midweek. So you wouldn’t think coming to Glasgow would faze the Italians. But Porrini still expects the Govan crowd to give Rangers a huge advantage in Tuesday night’s encounter.
He said: “The Champions League is important for a club like Rangers but also for Napoli, which is a historic club in Italy. The supporters in Naples need to be involved in those types of matches. Against Liverpool the fans were going crazy.
“You could breathe in their enthusiasm. They are so behind the team and the club. It was sold out on Wednesday night and I can’t remember the last match there when the stadium was like that.
“Napoli are used to big atmospheres but, trust me, playing at Ibrox is something different altogether. Ibrox is a special place on these nights, even for a team who are used to it. So that will make it harder for Napoli.”
If he’s fit, Rangers will look to captain James Tavernier to play a key role on Tuesday night, just like he did in their huge Europa League games last season on their run to the final in Seville. But according to Porrini, Napoli have a right-back of their own who is an inspiration to the players around him.
Giovanni di Lorenzo is vital to Spalletti’s team and also the Azzurri national side. The 29-year-old was part of Italy’s squad who won Euro 2020 at Wembley with a penalty shoot-out victory over England. He was terrific against Liverpool in midweek and Porrini – who knows the position well – is a big fan.
He said: “Di Lorenzo is the captain and the heart of this team. He’s so important to them, especially with the new, younger players coming in. He had a great season last year. And this season he’s been performing really well too.
“The younger players look up to him now as captain. Before it was Kalidou Koulibaly, Mertens, Insigne, who were the experienced players around them. But now it’s Di Lorenzo, he’s a big player for Napoli.
“The chairman of Napoli decided he didn’t want to pay big wages any more. In the past, they spent big money to win the league but didn’t do it. So now he wants to build a good, young team without big name players. And right now, with this coach, it seems to be the right way forward for the club.”
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