UCL: Last-8: I Preferred Not Meeting An Italian Side — Spalletti

Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti said he would have preferred to avoid an Italian team in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Napoli will face seven-time Champions League winners and rivals AC Milan in the quarter-finals following the results of the draw at the UEFA headquarters on Friday.

Speaking to the media, Spalletti said due to Milan’s extensive experience in the Champions League and being the second-most successful side in the competition’s history, he considers them favourites to qualify for the semi-finals.

“I preferred not to meet an Italian side. I’ve already heard some rumours going around and only the footballing incompetents talk about a good draw because Milan feel at home in the Champions League, they have won the competition seven times, second only to Real Madrid,” Spalletti said.

“Needless to say that their director Paolo Maldini alone has won five. In the past few days, I’ve read that PSG and other teams like City are struggling to go all the way because they don’t have European experience. If what they write is true then we have to say that Milan are favourites in the Champions League. They knocked Tottenham out, not just any team.”