Napoli vs Genoa preview - Mazzarri targets Napoli riposte

Posted Wednesday, December 21, 2011 by PA

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri is confident his side can overcome the loss of Ezequiel Lavezzi and halt their slide down the table with a victory over Genoa.

Mazzarri's men take on Genoa at the San Paolo stadium without the influential Argentina striker, who sustained a groin injury at the weekend and will be out for five weeks.

"We could have done without Lavezzi's injury," Mazzarri said."He is a very important player for us but the good thing is that we have plenty of options up front."

Marek Hamsik and Goran Pandev are set to play in support of Edinson Cavani in Napoli's attack.

Napoli go into the encounter on the back of Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Roma, a result that saw them drop to sixth place, level on 21 points with Roma, Genoa and Catania.

Mazzarri's side, who will face Chelsea in the knock-out stages of the Champions League next year, have won just one of their last seven league games while they have mustered just one win in their last four encounters at home.

"Things are not going well for us at the San Paolo stadium this season," Mazzarri said. "But the only way to get over this moment is to put our recent results behind us and play as we know how against Genoa."

Eighth-place Genoa travel to Naples inspired by Sunday's 2-1 win over Bologna, their second victory in three games.

Alberto Malesani's men will be hoping to improve their away record having picked up only seven of their current 21-point total on their travels this season.

"Two wins on the road is not enough if we want to have a chance to play in Europe next season," Genoa defender Kakhaber Kaladze said.

"We need to show the same confidence that we displayed against Bologna when we face Napoli."

Malesani is still without defender Cesare Bovo, midfielder Juraj Kucka and the team's top scorer Rodrigo Palacio because of injury, while defender Emiliano Moretti is suspended.