According to Champions League legend Alessandro Costacurta, Napoli can “dream big” as the best team in Europe.
The Partenopei are preparing to meet Eintracht Frankfurt in the round of 16 first leg on Tuesday.
It’s a stage Napoli have never surpassed, but rarely have they looked as capable as they have this season.
Luciano Spalletti has guided his side to the top of Serie A by 15 points while leading their Champions League group in impressive fashion.
Napoli have won five of their six European games before the World Cup break, beating Liverpool 4-1 and Ajax 6-1.
Competition is ramping up now but Costacurta, who was five-time European champions with Milan, sees no better team than Napoli.
“I don’t want this to be taken as nonsense, but in terms of approach and attitude, Napoli are the strongest in Europe,” he told Il Mattino.
“Of course there are others, and we know very well that a competition like the Champions League is able to arouse motivation in the players that perhaps doesn’t exist in the league. But I’m sure of one thing.
“Right now Napoli are stronger than Manchester City and everyone else.”
Costacurta added: “The strongest teams in Europe have not yet shown great feats in their leagues.
“That’s why I’m convinced that Napoli right now have an attitude that allows them to dream big.”
Napoli were inspired by their exciting attacking duo of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen.
Give us a title for this artwork by Kvaravaggio: _______
#ForzaNapoliSemper pic.twitter.com/MJa4v9mhTK
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) February 18, 2023
Costacurta likened the signing of Kvaratskhelia, who arrived in his native Georgia from Dinamo Batumi, as “like when they discovered the 6kg truffle”.
“He’s an incredible player and I don’t know where he’s from,” said the former defender. “Where the hell was he until six months ago?”
Napoli’s dominance in Italy has been aided by difficult seasons for many of their rivals but Costacurta suggested Inter’s Serie A form shows they are “distracted” from the Champions League.
“For Napoli, I dream of a spectacular final with PSG because that’s how you enter another dimension of history,” he said.
“But I admit that I would also like to have a good all-Italian final because, if we are to be honest, I am the only one who has played a semi-final and a final against another Italian team in the Champions League.”
