Empoli Coach Maurizio Sarri warns his team will face Napoli “without fear” at the San Paolo tomorrow.
It kicks off on Sunday at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“I don’t know if we have the strength to stop Napoli, but if there’s a possibility then we can only achieve it through hunger and the belief to take the initiative,” said Sarri in his Press conference.
Empoli Coach Maurizio Sarri warns his team will face Napoli “without fear” at the San Paolo tomorrow.
It kicks off on Sunday at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“I don’t know if we have the strength to stop Napoli, but if there’s a possibility then we can only achieve it through hunger and the belief to take the initiative,” said Sarri in his Press conference.
“We mustn’t step on to the field with fear, otherwise we risk Napoli outclassing us. We’ll suffer over the course of the game, but have to pounce on every tiny opportunity.
“I want to see how we do away from home against a big club. We’ve already proved on home turf that we can hold our own, so now we’ll see what happens on our travels.
“It also requires coming out with a drop of madness and the desire to prove we can cause an upset.”
Napoli have already drawn 3-3 here with Cagliari and Palermo, so newly-promoted Empoli are more than capable of surprising Rafa Benitez’s men.
Empoli are fresh from a surprise 2-0 Coppa Italia victory over high-flying Genoa, who are level on points with Napoli in Serie A.
“Benitez is a winner on a European level who proved he can do well in several different Leagues. He took Napoli into a winning mentality that, with the great support from their fans, gives them a constant attacking bent on home turf.
“We are facing a team with many talented individuals, from Higuain to Callejon, or Mertens and Hamsik, but they also have strong midfielders.
“We certainly won’t change our style of football and will go out there to play our game.”
Daniele Rugani is in doubt, while goalkeeper Luigi Sepe “will certainly feel extra emotions playing in his hometown.”