Manna takes pressure off Napoli ahead of Inter: ‘Being at the top was not our goal’ | OneFootball

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna insists that being at the top of the Serie A table was not the original goal at the beginning of the season, but admits that he and the team want to get back to first place when the team go up against current league leaders Inter on Saturday.

The Partenopei have led the Serie A table for most of the 2024-25 season, but have suffered a poor run of results in February and have now slipped one point behind Inter ahead of the meeting of the two sides this weekend.

Manna insists: ‘Being at the top’ was not Napoli’s goal

Manna wants the Napoli squad to go about the Inter game without any pressure or extra weight on their shoulders, as he suggests that it is a pleasant surprise that Napoli are so far up the table given the original goals at the beginning of the campaign.

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Leonardo Spinazzola of Napoli celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on February 02, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“Being at the top was not our goal,” Manna said in an interview with Sport Mediaset.

“The team have done well to get there and now we want to keep that position, but without a defeatist attitude if it doesn’t happen,” he continued.

“We are laying the foundations for a big future. We have to be proud of the journey we’ve been on.

“We have to face Inter with weight off. We are facing a team that is built to win, I think that’s a fact. We don’t want to put pressure on Inter. We have earned the opportunity to play this game with passion and determination. Nothing will destroy what has been done so far.”