Former Sporting Lisbon head coach Jose Peseiro believes Napoli have what it takes to win the Champions League this season.
Peseiro, who currently coaches Nigeria’s national team, has a connection with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and has cited the Nigerian’s impressive form as one of the reasons Napoli could go all the way.
While acknowledging the strength of teams like La Liga champions Real Madrid and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, Peseiro is confident that Napoli can take on any team in the competition.
What was said?
“I think Napoli can win both the championship and the Champions League,” Jose Peseiro told Antena3.
“Of course, there are still teams like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the competition, who also want the trophy, but I don’t see them as unbeatable this year.”
Napoli are currently the second favourite to win the Champions League. Manchester City, who defeated Bayern Munich 3-0 on Tuesday night, remain the favourite.
The Neapolitan’s journey to the quarter-finals has been impressive, winning seven games and losing just one, against Liverpool. They face AC Milan in the quarter-finals, a team they are familiar with from domestic competitions in Italy.
Napoli’s attacking game has been particularly impressive, with Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen standing out as highly sought-after players.
Osimhen has been excellent, with four goals in five Champions League matches, with crucial contributions in the first knockout rounds. The 24-year-old will likely not be available for the tie’s first leg against AC Milan.
Italian forward Giacomo Raspadori has also chipped in with four goals. At the same time, Piotr Zielinski has made an impression in the competition to give Napoli plenty of reasons to hope to win the Champions League this season.
By qualifying for the quarter-finals, Napoli has already achieved their best performance in the history of their participation in the competition.