Napoli vs Parma preview - De Laurentiis committed to Napoli

Posted Wednesday, December 17, 2014 by PA

In a week that saw Parma sell out in a desperate bid to secure their Serie A survival, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis insists he will not abandon the challenge of restoring his own club's fortunes.

The Gialloblu arrive at the Stadio San Paolo on Thursday night under the ownership of Piacenza-based jeweller Dr Pietro Doca, who has assumed control of the top flight's basement boys at a time of great turmoil.

Not only are Parma rooted to the bottom of the table with only six points from 15 games, they have lost a seventh point due to financial irregularities - a blow which ultimately prompted Tommaso Ghirardi to sell up and walk away.

There is no real danger of relegation for Napoli, but an inconsistent start to the season has left Rafael Benitez's men in seventh place and at risk of being left behind in the race for a Champions League place.

But film producer De Laurentiis has warned any hopeful suitors against trying their luck with a speculative offer for the outfit he rescued from bankruptcy in August 2004.

He told La Repubblica Sport: "It's been a difficult period but we will compose ourselves and press on as usual with the desire to become the leaders.

"I won't back down. I've been developing this project for 10 years and I will continue to work hard.

"I will never leave Napoli, I do not and I will not yield to anyone. Give us time to improve."

The Azzurri president is convinced Spanish coach Benitez has enough players of real quality at his disposal to steer the side back into the title race.

"We have a strong team," he added. "(Jose) Callejon and (Gonzalo) Higuain came in from Real Madrid, and then there's (Dries) Mertens.

"Our quality is not up for debate.

"Our international recruitment process has been consolidated and now it's up to our unquestionably extraordinary coach, Benitez."

Only Juan Camilo Zuniga and Michu present the former Liverpool boss with any injury concerns while under-pressure Parma coach Roberto Donadoni is missing Jonathan Biabiany, Mattia Cassani and Massimo Coda.

Donadoni hopes the change of ownership will bring some much-needed stability to the Ducale club.

"The announcement of the new owners might calm the situation," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "But we just need to worry about points and the league table.

"The team spirit has not changed compared to last season and we started last year with the aim of staying up. We certainly had no plans to qualify for the Europa League.

"We changed a lot of players in the summer and then bad injuries just magnified any problems we had on the pitch."