Gattuso charges Napoli players to step up their game

Napoli coach Rino Gattuso has said they need to step up a level ahead of facing Champions League opponents Barcelona.

Napoli will go to Barca for the second-leg of their Champions League round 16 tie with the scores locked at 1-1.

After victory over Sassuolo, Gattuso warned they must be better facing Barca – and Lionel Messi.

“They have someone, Messi, who can get the ball, go past ten players and score,” he said.

“If we go into the match against Barça thinking they are in poor form, we’re closer to the hospital or cemetery than we are a victory.

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“We can’t make any mistakes against Barcelona. If they have half a chance, they’ll put it into the top corner. We need to concentrate for 90 minutes. People think that’s easy but it really isn’t. We need to be smart, cover the spaces in the right way and maintain our focus.”