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Gattuso says his Napoli are not just about grit and growls

VIDEO SHOWS: NEWS CONFERENCE WITH NAPOLI COACH GENNARO GATTUSO AND NAPOLI GOALKEEPER DAVID OSPINA ON THE DAY AHEAD OF THEIR LAST OF 16 MATCH IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AGAINST BARCELONA

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: CONTAINS WHITE FLASHES

RESENDING WITH SCRIPT - ITALIAN TRANSLATIONS TO FOLLOW

SHOWS: BARCELONA, SPAIN (AUGUST 7, 2020) (BARÇA TV HANDOUT - DO NOT OBSCURE LOGO)

1. NAPOLI COACH, GENNARO GATTUSO, AND NAPOLI GOALKEEPER, DAVID OSPINA, ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) NAPOLI COACH, GENNARO GATTUSO, ON FACING TOUGH BARCELONA SIDE, SAYING:

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3. WHITE FLASH

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) NAPOLI COACH, GENNARO GATTUSO, ON INJURY LIST, SAYING:

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5. WHITE FLASH

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) NAPOLI COACH, GENNARO GATTUSO, ON PLAYING WITHOUT FANS, SAYING:

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7. WHITE FLASH

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) NAPOLI GOALKEEPER, DAVID OSPINA, SAYING:

"Good afternoon. The truth is, we've come full of motivation. After a good week of getting ready, we know how important this game is. We know our opponent and the quality they have so, we plan to do what we need to do will think focus on what we've laid out and hope to get a really good result."

9. WHITE FLASH

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) NAPOLI GOALKEEPER, DAVID OSPINA, ON LIONEL MESSI, SAYING:

"We're familiar with Lionel (Messi). I've had the opportunity to play against him many times in South America with our respective national teams. We know he's a different kind of player, a player who can change the trajectory of the game by doing something. So, we have to keep an eye on everyone. We have to concentrate so we can help the squad at the required moments. But we know who Leo is as a player. So, we need to be ready as a team and work hard and think about what we have to do."

STORY: Gennaro Gattuso was renowned in his playing days for his combative style, grit and determination but, as a coach, he believes his Napoli side are showing other qualities -- even if nobody has noticed.

The fiery former midfielder told a virtual press conference on the eve of the Champions League round of 16 second leg at Barcelona that his side have improved in possession and are the team that dribbles the most in Serie A.

Gattuso took over in Napoli in December with the side in disarray but has reversed their fortunes in the last few weeks.

They won the Coppa Italia in June, the first major trophy of his coaching career, and finished seventh in Serie A after an impressive finale.

Still, he recognised that his side, who were held 1-1 in the first leg in February before the COVID-19 outbreak, had a mountain to climb in Saturday's (August 8) match.

(Production: Kurt Michael Hall)