Bayern Munich goalkeeper Pepe Reina admitted Napoli was a difficult place to adapt to, but nonetheless saluted the city and its supporters, claiming leaving the town under Vesuvius was a painful and difficult decision.
The 32-year old spent a successful year on loan from Liverpool with the Azzurri last season, splitting time with Rafael until the young Brazilian suffered a season-ending knee injury, guiding the Partenopei to a third place finish and their fourth Coppa Italia trophy.
“I’ve traveled a lot, but the most difficult place to acclimate yourself was Naples. The city appears disorganized and driving there is very difficult, almost insane,” Reina told TuttoNapoli.net.
“But as they said in the film Benvenuti al Sud, he who comes to Napoli cries twice: once when you arrive and once when you leave. It’s true, the heart of the Neapolitan is immense and there’s something spectacular about it which makes it very difficult to leave. I left many great friends in that city.”
While Reina’s former partner at Napoli has managed full-time goalkeeping duties well this season, the club misses Reina’s character and leadership and some have pointed to his absence as a key reason why the club failed to advance out of the Champions League playoff tie with Athletic Club.
Reina ended an eight year spell on Merseyside this summer by signing a three year deal with the defending Champions League winners to serve as Manuel Nuer’s understudy. He has yet to feature in a Bayern Munich match this season in either the Bundesliga or the Champions League.
