Napoli director Giovanni Manna confirms they ‘need to improve in the Champions League’ against Villarreal and insists Scott McTominay ‘wants to stay, we’re working on’ a new contract.
It kicks off at the Estadio de la Ceramica at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
There are five changes from the side that started the 3-0 Serie A victory over Frosinone on Saturday, including the Champions League debut for Giovane.
The Brazilian was not originally in the UEFA squad list for this season, but was added in place of injured Costantino Favasuli this week.
Manna trusts Napoli strength in depth
“Squad rotation as you call it is necessary and we have a fairly balanced squad,” director of sport Manna told Sky Sport Italia.
“There are three or four players who in my mind are irreplaceable, so if they are fit then they play, but seeing as we have nine games to be played over the next 29 days, the coach has the option to make changes also based on the characteristics of the opposition.
“Giovane came on well from the bench on Saturday, he’s in good shape and gives us different alternatives. We have different characteristics on the bench, and this is how we are starting the match.”
Neither Napoli nor Villarreal managed to get beyond the league phase of this competition last season, and the Partenopei have not won a Champions League away fixture in almost three years.
“We do not have to send any signals, but we do need to improve what we did last year in the Champions League. We want to at least get into the play-offs and that means picking up points even against a side that had a very good game against Real Madrid at the weekend.
“We need a strong performance, I am convinced the lads will give their all.”
There were reports in recent weeks that McTominay is being courted by Real Madrid, as negotiations over a new contract have somewhat stalled.
“Scott has two years left on his contract, he wants to stay with us, and we want him to stay for as long as possible too,” insisted the Napoli director.
“There is an economic aspect to consider, we are working on it and hope that we can find a solution that suits both us and the player. He is probably the most important player in the side for what he’s done in the last two years, we missed him over the last few weeks, we’re happy to have him and he plays tonight.”
Manna was asked what Napoli’s ambition is for this season, both in Serie A and the Champions League.
“We’d like to go as far as possible in the Champions League, but it is a complicated competition and you also need a bit of good luck at times, having players in good form at the right time.
“Qualifying for the Champions League is absolutely vital for all Italian clubs on an economic level, but we’d like to finish as close as possible to the top spot.
“We finished second last season, the year before that we took the Scudetto. We thought we had won at San Siro and then lost 3-2, so we haven’t found the right trend of results yet, but we must have faith in this squad.
“At the end of the season, we will have to lower the average age of the team, we are well aware of that and are prepared to do it. Then there’s the Coppa Italia, where we also want to go all the way.”