Walter Mazzarri stands up for Christian Maggio and Marek Hamsik, but warns Napoli they've got to become consistent in Udine.
“We are going into six games in the next 22 days,” said the Coach. “We have to take several factors into account so that we can be at our peak in all the competitions. This is why someone like Hassan Yebda or Jose Sosa won't be risked if they are not fully fit.
Walter Mazzarri stands up for Christian Maggio and Marek Hamsik, but warns Napoli they've got to become consistent in Udine.
“We are going into six games in the next 22 days,” said the Coach. “We have to take several factors into account so that we can be at our peak in all the competitions. This is why someone like Hassan Yebda or Jose Sosa won't be risked if they are not fully fit.
“This is yet another ‘Final' for us and we must give our best. The defeat at the Stadio Friuli did us good last season, but I want to see the real Napoli who can limit the opponents and leave the field with our heads held high.
“We need to prove we are a top side by maintaining a certain consistency. We've got to prove our maturity in Udine.”
Udinese did nothing but lose for the first month of the season, but are now more comfortably mid-table.
“The Friulani are doing well after a terrible start. After all, their squad is of real quality with Alexis Sanchez, Antonio Di Natale, German Denis, Antonio Floro Flores and Bernardo Corradi,” continued Mazzarri.
“I really respect Francesco Guidolin, who has always put us under pressure. I also worked with him at Bologna for a brief time. He changes his style continually, so we must be ready for anything.”
Napoli crushed Bologna 4-1 last week with Hamsik and Maggio on the scoresheet, silencing the critics.
“Even when they are less sharp than usual, those players are still remarkably reliable. Marek gives you balance in the middle and is tactically very intelligent. He got a brace against Bologna, but we cannot always expect that from him.
“Maggio is also important. They both received criticism and were upset, but they are great professionals and I cannot fault them. They really care about this club and I was so happy when Maggio broke that drought.”
Napoli squad: De Sanctis, Iezzo, Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Cribari, Dossena, Grava, Santacroce, Zuniga, Gargano, Hamsik, Maggio, Pazienza, Vitale, Bucchi, Cavani, Lavezzi, Maiello, Dumitru