Sarri: Napoli wants Serie A more than UCL
Maurizio Sarri believes Napoli cares more about domestic honours as it looks to dethrone six-time Italian champion Juventus.
Maurizio Sarri feels Napoli is more motivated in Serie A compared to the UEFA Champions League after its draw with high-flying Inter Milan at the weekend.
Napoli went to Etihad Stadium for last week's eagerly-anticipated showdown against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and lost 2-1 in an absorbing European encounter.
Sarri's men backed up that performance with a 0-0 stalemate at home to Inter Milan in a top-of-the-table clash in Serie A.
The 58-year-old head coach believes Napoli cares more about domestic honours as it looks to dethrone six-time Italian champion Juventus for its first Scudetto since 1989-1990.
"To be honest, I see my team more motivated in Serie A compared to Europe. We played at a high level of determination for 95 minutes, whereas in Manchester it was for 55 minutes," Sarri said.
"City have an extraordinary technical and tactical level, but the feeling I get is that the players care more about Serie A.
"The Champions League is tiring, but it's also a wonderful thing to take part in and we ought to give it our best. We'll play whatever price we need to.
"I think it's a sub-conscious thing. If in our minds we feel more competitive in Serie A than in the Champions League, that might be a difficult thing to shake off.
"After all, we don't have that much of a chance to go all the way in Europe, but we do want to put in a great tournament performance."
As for the match against second-placed Inter, Sarri added: "Considering the game, the shots on target and territorial domination, we are to consider it two dropped points tonight.
"However, if we continue with this level of performance, few teams will be able to get points against us."
