Hamsik: Napoli can challenge for title
Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik has warned reigning Serie A champions Juventus that they will face fierce competition from Napoli for the Scudetto next season.
By ESPNSTAR.com staff
Juventus won the Serie A title in comprehensive fashion last season, impressively going through the entire campaign unbeaten and finishing four points ahead of their closest challengers AC Milan.
Napoli spent majority of last season challenging for a Champions League spot and eventually finished 5th in the table, 23 points behind Juventus.
Hamsik however insists the Naples club are one of the many clubs who will be able to launch a strong challenge for the title next season and believes Juventus will not have an easy time defending their crown.
"There are a lot of teams who can take on Juve," Hamsik told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"We are amongst them and we'll give it a go.
"We won't be alone though as you will also have to take into account Milan, Inter, Roma and Lazio."
The Slovakian international also claimed that the stability and understanding within the team would give them an added advantage over the rest.
"We have had the same Coach for four years and the same team for two - that's important. The squad knows each other well.
"Milan have sold Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Paris Saint-Germain? They'll lose a lot, but the Rossoneri remain a great team."
The recent departure of Ezequiel Lavezzi has fuelled speculation that Hamsik would be the next to leave the club, with oil-funded Manchester City reportedly keen on signing the 24-year-old, but the Napoli vice-captain insists he is not going anywhere.
"I've been here for six years, but I'm content," he said.
"Lavezzi is a great player and a great friend, but I'm happy here and I'm staying.
"I signed a new contract because I have everything that I need at Napoli - including unique fans. Being happy is the most important thing as a footballer."
Hamsik played an influential part in delivering The Partenopei their first trophy in 20 years last season, scoring a crucial goal to secure a 2-0 win over Juventus in the Italian Cup final.
The two teams will face off again in the Italian Super Cup final on 11 August and Hamsik is predicting another exciting game.
"It'll be a great game," the attacking midfielder added. "Like the Italian Cup Final was."
Hamsik was in stellar form for Napoli last season, scoring 12 goals and laying off 11 assists in 50 appearances for the club.