Napoli – RafaMarin said he felt more comfortable under Allegri's guidance, after his second experience at the club starting from his loan at Villarreal. In an interview with AS, the Spanish defender explained how his growth has been influenced by the new coach and by his return to Napoli, where he hopes to stay for a long time.
During the pre-match phase for the Champions League against Villarreal, Marin recalled the difficulties at the start of his first season at Napoli. "I was aware that I could find little space because there was so much competition, but I didn't think I could find as little space as it turned out in the end. It wasn't an easy period for me, but I think I grew a lot mentally and physically," he said. The Serie A title remains his best memory, while the experience at Villarreal allowed the player to mature further.
The midfielder highlighted the differences between Allegri's philosophy and that of Antonio Conte. "Allegri focuses a lot on possession, on always playing on the feet. I believe that no Spanish footballer would mind this game based on ball possession," he said. Marin reiterated his respect for both coaches, underlining that "both Allegri and Conte are exceptional coaches, I have nothing negative to say about them". However, he expressed the feeling of being more comfortable in the current season.
The return to Napoli was a conscious choice for Marin: "My goal has always been Napoli. I hope to stay there for a long time, I prepared for this. I want to stay there for many years." The long-term goal is to win something every year, but above all to make history in the club's centenary. "Winning on the centenary would be even more special. You would leave your mark even more, it would be incredible," he added.
Marin also mentioned AmirRrahmani's role in his defensive integration. "Amir is extraordinary, he has experience in making things easy. He is helping me a lot in guiding me in defence. I get along very well with him," he said. With the maturity acquired at Villarreal and the support of key colleagues, the Spanish defender aims to definitively consolidate his place in the Napoli team.