At the press conference ahead of the Champions League round of 16 first leg against SSC Napoli, Oliver Glasner and Mario Götze discussed…
...the last-16 tie
Oliver Glasner: “It’s an extraordinary game that we’re all looking forward to – in front of a full house. By reaching the round of 16 we’ve achieved our first declared target, namely getting into the knockout stages. We’ve been drawn against a great team in Napoli. They’re very good and solid, but so are we. Both teams are in good form. We’re going to play to win. The players are focused and always want to implement everything. I’m full of anticipation and confidence; the boys are giving me a good feeling.”
Mario Götze: “Considering the opponents, the circumstances and the hard work we’ve put in so far, the anticipation is huge. We’re self-assured and are looking forward to the match. It’s a special match, for me personally too.”
...team news
Oliver Glasner: “Sebastian Rode trained on his own today and will be in the squad, provided nothing else happens. He won’t start, though.”
...opponents Napoli:
Oliver Glasner: “Napoli don’t play like an Italian team. They play with the most intensity by some distance, they’re aggressive without the ball and counter-press with incredible intensity. We’re aware of that and we’ve prepared for it.”
Mario Götze: “The Serie A table speaks volumes for Napoli. They’ve got the attributes you need to win titles. However, we know about our qualities and are focusing on ourselves. I’m looking forward to going up against them.”
Randal is an incredible guy and a good character. Moreover, he brings huge quality, which he’s not just showing on the pitch.
Mario Götze
...Randal Kolo Muani and Victor Osimhen
Oliver Glasner: “Both have exceptional pace. Osimhen is a tad more robust. Randal plays off the shoulder more often, whereas Osimhen is more of a hold-up player who pops the ball off for the forward-running midfielders. Both are currently among the top five strikers in Europe.”
Mario Götze: “Randal is an incredible guy and a good character. Moreover, he brings huge quality, which he’s not just showing on the pitch. He’s good for the whole team, we benefit from his quality. He’s an asset to our team.”
