MY ACCOUNT
Luciano Spalletti believes Diego Maradona will be looking down on his two former teams and hoping Napoli beat Barcelona on Thursday.
In the pick of the Europa League knockout round play-off ties, the Partenopei face Barca home and away over the next week.
The Blaugrana dropped into UEFA’s secondary competition for the first time since 2003-04 following their elimination from the Champions League in a tough start to the season.
The Catalan side have recovered a little momentum under Xavi, however, and present a major test for Spalletti’s Napoli, who are third in Serie A.
But this fixture – only previously played in the last 16 of the 2019-20 Champions League – will always be associated far more with Maradona than any modern star.
The Argentina great moved to Napoli after two years with Barca in the 1980s, enjoying the best spell of his career over seven seasons in Italy.
Twice a league champion with Napoli, Spalletti suggested on the eve of the match the late Maradona would favour his club.
Asked about injury issues in both camps, the Napoli coach said: “I don’t think there will be a disadvantage for the absence of a player.
“The two squads are so well equipped that the absence of one player and the presence of another does not make a difference.
“There would be one that could make a difference, but he will watch this game from heaven.
“I am talking about Maradona, who will initially try to be ‘good’, but then I am convinced he will take a position and cheer for Napoli.”
