Juventus vs Napoli preview - Buffon lauds magical Mazzarri

Posted Sunday, April 01, 2012 by PA

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is full of admiration for the job Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has done this season.

Buffon has spoken of his respect for the Tuscan tactician ahead of the meeting between the two sides in Turin on Sunday.

"Mazzarri has done an excellent job," Buffon said. "Napoli is the Italian team that I admire the most.

"Alongside us, they are the team that plays the most entertaining football and that is Mazzarri's doing."

The Bianconeri go into the encounter on the back of a 2-0 triumph over Inter Milan last weekend that kept the Turin giants in second place, four points behind Serie A leaders AC Milan with nine games remaining.

Juventus, coached by Antonio Conte, are unbeaten this season but expect to be tested on Sunday.

"It's going to be a big challenge for us," Buffon said.

"But we want to win in order to keep up the pressure on leaders AC Milan.

"Napoli are fourth in the standings, three points behind Lazio, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Napoli are determined to return to play in Europe's top club competition next season after being eliminated in the round of 16 by Chelsea earlier this month.

"Our focus is firmly on finishing in the top three," Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi said.

"We have to win as many games as possible.

"We know it's going to be tough to end Juventus' unbeaten run but are ready and determined."

Sunday's game will be the first of two meetings between the two sides from here until the end of the season as Napoli will take on Juventus in the Coppa Italia final on May 20.

Napoli will be bolstered by the return of defenders Gianluca Grava and Hugo Campagnaro as well as midfielder Christian Maggio.

The trio missed last weekend's 2-2 draw against Catania through injury.

Conte will have all of his players available.