Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri is refusing to underestimate Saturday’s stuttering opponents Roma.
Both teams are fighting to qualify for the Champions League, but the Azzurri are in better shape given that Roma have lost three of their last four games.
“It will be a complex game and we are preparing for it as best we can because it is a fundamental appointment for us,” stated the tactician.
Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri is refusing to underestimate Saturday’s stuttering opponents Roma.
Both teams are fighting to qualify for the Champions League, but the Azzurri are in better shape given that Roma have lost three of their last four games.
“It will be a complex game and we are preparing for it as best we can because it is a fundamental appointment for us,” stated the tactician.
“Roma boss Luis Enrique is a serious and credible man.
“Roma are a young side who quickly go from dark moments to games of a great level. They have a champion like Francesco Totti who makes the difference, while the absence of Daniele De Rossi pleases me.
“They are a team with value. It will be the game and the incidents within it which will decide the outcome. We can’t allow Roma to play their football as they can do harm.”
The Giallorossi will go into the home tie without the suspended De Rossi, Erik Lamela and Daniel Pablo Osvaldo.
Napoli will be short of Hugo Campagnaro, Marco Donadel and possibly Ezequiel Lavezzi.
“Lavezzi has trained, but I’ll have to evaluate his condition,” Mazzarri noted. “Fitness is fundamental in modern football. If the team runs then results arrive.
“We’ll give our all in these last four games. The victory at Lecce has given us serenity.”
The Azzurri have had their struggles over the last few weeks, but Mazzarri feels that any criticism of the team is unjust.
“The season needs to be evaluated on the whole and not just in relation to what we have done in the championship.
“We surprised everyone in the Champions League and we are in the Coppa Italia Final.
“The defeat to Chelsea and elimination from the Champions League certainly affected us, especially in terms of morale.
“We thought we could get through, we paid a heavy price for that night in London.”
Napoli are one point behind third-placed Lazio, while Roma are five points adrift.