Ahead of Napoli’s crucial Champions League play-off clash with Athletic Club on Wednesday night the Spaniards coach Ernesto Valverde has insisted his players are ready for the challenge, but expects the Italians to be patient in trying to secure their own progress.
The Basque side left Naples with a slight advantage last Tuesday after netting a vital away goal during their 1-1 draw, however, the Partenopei could have taken a lead to Bilbao had they been more clinical in front of goal, but the 50-year-old believes his side can withstand similar pressure during the second leg.
“We feel ready for the challenge,” Valverde told the press.
“Preparing for these games is easier, players are focused and think about it for months, you need only to check the fitness.
“In Naples in the first minutes we were in trouble, tomorrow we inaugurate San Mames for the first time with its full capacity and it would be great to do it with a qualification.
“This team must be able to be able to withstand the pressure of our rivals, as happened at the San Paolo in the final phase of the battle.
“In a knockout match it is unlikely that there is only one team who constantly dominates, the important thing is not to give away too many chances.
“Napoli is a patient team, not a team I expect to attack from the first minute, and will manage well the minutes available to them.
“Last year there were no 0-0 at the San Mames, it is very difficult to see this result on our pitch, so we will have to develop our football without speculating too much.”
Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton
