Napoli vs Carpi - Maurizio Sarri: A lot can change over next 15 games - 7M sport

Napoli vs Carpi - Maurizio Sarri: A lot can change over next 15 games



Posted Saturday, February 06, 2016 by PA

Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri is refusing to predict how the Serie A title race will play out.

Ahead of Sunday's home meeting with lowly Carpi, the Azzurri lead the table by two points from reigning champions Juventus, who are chasing them down relentlessly having won 13 games in a row.

Napoli have no option but to keep on winning themselves and, although it would be unfair to assume Carpi will roll over at Stadio San Paolo, Sarri's men must be hoping they can extend their own streak to eight straight victories.

With a Scudetto showdown taking place in Turin next weekend, the Italian media are estimating that mathematics and recent glories tip the scales in Juve's favour, but Napoli's head coach is not prepared to consider the numbers.

He told La Repubblica Sport: "With 15 games remaining it seems strange to start making predictions about what Juventus will or won't manage to do.

"They do have a certain confidence about them because they boast many veterans from title-winning seasons, whereas we don't have that. Our story only began this year.

"A lot of things can change over the course of 15 games and if we look at the state of the table 15 games ago, Torino were third and Juventus were ninth.

"We just have to keep pushing forward."

Napoli's latest win was marred by racist abuse as defender Kalidou Koulibaly became the target of a section of Lazio fans at the Stadio Olimpico. The capital club have since been handed a two-match partial stadium ban.

New signing Alberto Grassi will not feature after undergoing knee surgery and midfielder Jorginho is banned.

Eighteenth-placed Carpi are without Matteo Fedele and Jonathan De Guzman due to injury while Riccardo Gagliolo and Lorenzo Lollo are suspended.

The Biancorossi came within seconds of snatching a point at Fiorentina in midweek, only for Mauro Zarate to condemn them to a 12th defeat of the season.

The promoted side may be five points from Sampdoria and safety, yet boss Fabrizio Castori remains optimistic.

He told carpifc.com: " We now have to go to Napoli and play against the league leaders.

"We will prepare well, knowing it will be a tough match, but we will work hard and go and give them a game.

"We've improved with every game recently and are taking some big steps forward. With perseverance I am convinced we can achieve our goal."



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