Napoli - Genoa preview - Benitez: Still so much to play for

Posted Sunday, January 25, 2015 by PA

Napoli are 13 points adrift of Serie A leaders Juventus at the halfway point of the season but coach Rafa Benitez has not given up hope his team can challenge for the scudetto.

The azzurri have won three of their last four league games and are third in the standings heading into Monday's home game against Genoa.

"We are not going to settle for third place," Benitez told the Italian press. "There are still 19 games left to play and so many points up for grabs.

"Anything can happen.

"We just have to keep giving continuity to our results and show balance on the pitch. We need to take it one game at a time."

Napoli head into the encounter in buoyant mood after they remained on course to defend the Coppa Italia title by beating Udinese 5-4 on penalties - after a 2-2 draw in regulation time - on Thursday.

"We could have killed the game off earlier but the important thing is that we qualified to the next round deservedly," Benitez said.

Benitez will be hoping Gonzalo Higuain can keep up his goalscoring form.

The Argentina forward struck the winner in last weekend's 1-0 triumph at Lazio and came off the bench to score the crucial penalty for Napoli in midweek.

"Gonzalo is in good shape," Benitez said. "He is working very hard and you can see that on the pitch.

"I'm very happy with his performances and he has to continue like this."

Higuain, who is the second top scorer in Serie A with 10 goals, three strikes behind compatriot Carlos Tevez of Juventus, will lead Napoli's attack against Genoa.

Rivals Genoa have not won a game since December 7 and have collected just two points since to drop to seventh place.

Gian Piero Gasperini's men did show great fighting spirit as they came from behind three times to clinch a 3-3 draw at home to Sassuolo last time out.

The visitors are without the services of midfielder Tino Costa and striker Alessandro Matri, who are both out injured.