Having flirted massively with ending Juventus’ Serie A stranglehold in 2018, Napoli are determined to use that disappointment as motivation in picking up a trophy next year, according to captain Marek Hamsik.
The Partenopei appeared set to end their long wait for a Scudetto victory after Kalidou Koulibaly’s last minute winner in Turin had momentum on their side but they failed to convert that into a title win.
Despite the disappointment of the title race in the end, Hamsik still has positive memories of the challenge and is fired up to deliver silverware in 2019 as a result of coming so close.
“We started 2018 in first place in the table and were playing great football but we didn’t manage to take advantage of it and close things out,” he admitted.
“Juventus won the title but we will never forget the welcome that we received at the airport after returning from the game in Turin when 25,000 people welcomed us. That was a very nice moment.
“We are now in second place and nine points off Juventus but there are still 19 games left in the season so anything is possible. Overall, it has been a nice year for us but next year, I want a trophy.”
Hamsik also revealed that he was pleased to have Carlo Ancelotti take over from Maurizio Sarri in the summer, as it allowed the club to continue playing their enjoyable, attractive brand of football.
“Both Ancelotti and Sarri are fantastic coaches. Mister Sarri did a great job for three years, playing good football which everyone across Europe admired,” he added.
“Ancelotti arrived as someone who has won so much across Europe and we have changed the way we play but we are doing well and are still able to play that same good football.”
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com