Gattuso says Napoli can’t just focus on Messi

Photo by SSC NAPOLI/SSC NAPOLI via Getty Images

The boss says his team should not fear the visitors

Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso has told his team they can’t just focus on Lionel Messi in tomorrow’s Champions League last 16 tie against Barcelona.

Quique Setien’s side head into the match fresh from a 5-0 win over Eibar that saw Messi rediscover his goalscoring touch with four goals.

Gattuso was full of praise for Messi in his pre-match press conference but said his players must play as a team and show no fear against the visitors.

“Messi is an incredible player. He’s an example for everyone, young and old. We can’t just focus on Messi tomorrow. We’re playing Barcelona and we need to play as a team. Tomorrow, I want to see a side that is capable of digging in and players who help each other from start to finish,” he said.

“We’re up against a great team made up of great players. We know it’s going to be difficult but for myself and my squad it’s a source of pride to face a team who are stronger than us who, over the past ten, 15 years, have been one of the best teams in the world. We shouldn’t have any fear.”

Source | UEFA

Napoli have had an erratic season but head into the match on a good run of form and have six of their last seven in all competitions.

Source: barcablaugranes.com