Mazzarri pleased by Conte success

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri says he can see a lot of himself in Juventus counterpart Antonio Conte.

With Napoli having seen off Siena on Wednesday to progress to the final of the Coppa Italia, Mazzarri will have to outwit the Juventus boss if he is secure his first piece of silverware since arriving at the Stadio San Paolo in 2009.

Mazzarri is looking forward to the challenge, admitting he has something of a soft spot for Conte given his perceived similarities between the two.

“I am a bit older than him and have a few more years behind me as a coach,” Mazzarri told Sky Sport24.

“He reminds me of the Mazzarri of the early years. I am a bit more relaxed than him, but I’m happy for him that he is living every game, because a few years ago it was said that he was a coach who was too animated on the bench and could not coach a big club.”

“This, for me, is a victory for that reason, because Conte is doing very well and he’s at a great club.”

Before Mazzarri can get too excited about May’s Coppa Italia showdown with Juve in Rome, he must first focus his attention on finishing in the Champions League places in Serie A, with fourth-placed Napoli set to host Catania on Sunday.