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Champions League legend Alessandro Costacurta says Serie A outfit Napoli are the “strongest in Europe.”
The Italian club are flying high at the top of the table, 15 points ahead of second-placed Inter. They have lost just one of their 23 matches, winning 20 and drawing two.
Luciano Spalletti’s side have scored a league-high 56 goals in that time, and have conceded a league-low 15 as they chase an elusive Serie A title.
Champions League legend: Napoli strongest in Europe
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But it is not only in Italy that Napoli are causing quite a stir, with the Serie A side having topped Group A of the Champions League. They pipped last year’s finalists Liverpool to top spot, winning five of their six matches and scoring 20 goals along the way.
Their hard work in the early stages has set up a somewhat favourable round of 16 tie with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, who finished second in Group D behind Tottenham Hotspur.
The first leg of that encounter is set to take place in Germany this evening, and while Napoli have never made it past the Champions League round of 16, Milan legend Costacurta – a five-time European champion – says they are currently Europe’s best team.
“I don’t want this to pass as nonsense, but in terms of approach and attitude, Napoli are the strongest in Europe,” said Costacurta, as per LiveScore.
“Obviously there are the others, and we know perfectly well that a competition like the Champions League is capable of drawing out of the players those motivations that maybe don’t exist in the league.
“But I’m sure about one thing. At the moment, Napoli are stronger than Manchester City and all the others.”
Serie A side can ‘dream big’
Costacurta touched further on the fact that Napoli’s strength has come at a time when other top clubs around Europe have yet to realise their full potential in their respective leagues.
Napoli thumped Champions League giants Liverpool 4-1 in the group stages, as well as thrashing European heavyweights Ajax 6-1 on their way to top spot.
“The strongest teams in Europe have not yet given great shows of strength in their leagues,” said Costacurta. “That’s why I’m convinced that right now Napoli have an attitude that legitimately allows them to be able to dream big.”
Napoli to meet PSG in Champions League final?
The ex-Milan defender also expressed exactly which type of Champions League final he would like to watch this season, with a mouthwatering clash for Napoli against French giants at the top of his wishlist.
But Costacurta, who lifted the trophy in 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003 and 2007, also explained that an all-Italian final would be equally intriguing. Inter and Milan both remain in the competition.
“For Napoli, I dream of a spectacular final with PSG, because in this way you enter a different dimension of history,” added Costacurta.
“But I admit that I would also like a good all-Italian final also, because if we want to be honest, I’m the only one who played a semi-final and a final against another Italian team in the Champions League.”
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) February 20, 2023
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