Napoli boss Sarri: Manchester City is Europe's best team
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Maurizio Sarri is convinced Wednesday’s Champions League Group F opponent Manchester City is the greatest team in Europe.
The Napoli manager witnessed the slick one-touch passing and swift tempo of Pep Guardiola’s side first-hand when he took his outfit to the Etihad Stadium on Oct. 17. Manchester City won 2-1, and was particularly dominant in the first half.
Sarri told BBC Sport he identifies the Premier League leader as “the best team in Europe, led by the best coach in Europe” as he prepares to stymie City in the midweek clash. Guardiola’s men require a draw or a win at the Stadio San Paolo to book their route into the knockout rounds with two matches to spare.
The first meeting between the two teams garnered plenty of attention due to the similar tactical approaches of the coaches. Although Guardiola and Sarri took very different routes to their current managerial posts, both are advocates of attacking, on-the-floor football and a relentless high press.
Related: Guardiola, Sarri take vastly different paths to Champions League tilt
Guardiola previously described Sarri as “one of the coaches I admire the most.”
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
“They have a devastating force of impact on matches and they have scored so many of their goals in the first 20 minutes,” Sarri continued.
“Their matches have all been over by the 70th minute. They deserve great credit for what they did in the first match, no one has escaped our pressing like that.”
Sarri is understandably wary about City’s visit. The Lancashire club has won 14 matches and drawn once so far this season, and in its other Group F fixtures, City dismissed Feyenoord and Shakhtar Donetsk with an aggregate scoreline of 6-0.
In an effort to ensure a heated atmosphere doesn’t boil over at the Stadio San Paolo, fans will be asked to remove their belts before entering the venue, according to BBC Sport’s Simon Stone. A Napoli fan was jailed for five months after using a belt to attack supporters in a pub near the Etihad Stadium two weeks ago.
