Former Napoli striker Roberto Sosa believes they remain the favourites for the Serie A title, but the World Cup break could give challengers, including Inter, hope.
The Partenopei enjoyed an unbeaten start to the campaign and won 13 of their opening 15 matches to sit eight points clear of AC Milan in second at the break for the World Cup, whilst Inter trail them by 11 points after a mixed campaign.
In an interview with Italian radio station Vikonos earlier today, and as reported by FCInterNews.it, the former Udinese and Ascoli striker felt that this season was unlike any other, and there was the potential for such a lengthy mid-year break to derail Napoli’s Scudetto charge.
“Since Napoli took first place there hasn’t been any team capable of getting close to the Azzurri, the performance has been extraordinary, as Luciano Spalletti said, the boys look like Martians,” Sosa claimed.
“In the league and the Champions League, Napoli were the best in Europe. We’ll discover the uncertainty about the break in March, but I think it will be very difficult to repeat a season with such a long break, also because I think we won’t see a World Cup in November again.
“The unknown factor also concerns those who don’t go to the World Cup, all the players are off completely and even those returning from Qatar will be out for a week. We’ll find out later if the break is positive or negative,” he continued.
Napoli face a difficult run-in when they return to action in January, with matches against Inter, Juventus, and Roma in the opening weeks.
Sosa felt that this could make or break their season, with defeats giving hope to the chasing pack and allowing them to claw back the deficit.
“January is fundamental for Napoli. as far as the league is concerned, with Inter, Juve and Roma over a few weeks. At the end of the month we will understand if the Scudetto will go to Naples.”
With Italy not playing in the World Cup after failing to qualify, Sosa was sad to see a tournament in the middle of the season and without the Azzurri, but tipped his native Argentina to do well.
“First of all, I’m sorry that Italy aren’t there, then I have to say that I don’t like a tournament in November at all and I hope I never see it again,” he declared.
“The World Cup has the power to bring all Argentine people together, there are no distinctions for at least a month, we’re all the same.
“The Seleccion are among the favourites, as are obviously Brazil, France, Germany. Also keep an eye on Spain. I think we will beat Saudi Arabia 3-0 in the opening game,” he claimed.
