Torino vs Napoli preview - Lopez wants more of the same

Posted Saturday, February 28, 2015 by PA

Torino striker Maxi Lopez has called on his team-mates to build on their midweek Europa League win at Athletic Bilbao when they return to Serie A action this weekend.

The Granata go into Sunday's clash at home to third-place Napoli buoyed by Thursday's 3-2 triumph in Spain that earned them a 5-4 aggregate win and a place in the last 16 of the competition.

Lopez, who scored three goals in the tie against Athletic, told his club's official website: "Athletic are a great team and we are delighted that we have done what we had to do.

"We have entered the history books as no Italian team had won before in Bilbao.

"But now we must turn the page because Napoli await us.

"We know it's going to be a difficult game against a great side.

"They also played on Thursday so they are going to be just as tired as we are.

"In any case, I believe we can beat them."

Toro have lost just one of their last 15 games in all competitions and held Fiorentina to a 1-1 draw in Florence last time out to climb to 10th in the standings.

Napoli also progressed in the Europa League after a 5-0 aggregate victory over Trabzonspor.

The Naples outfit have kept clean sheets in their last three matches, including Thursday's 1-0 triumph over the Turks.

Rafael Benitez's men have won five of their last six league games and know that victory on Sunday could see them go level on points with second-placed Roma. The capital club host leaders Juventus on Monday.

However, Benitez is not taking Toro lightly.

"Torino's result in Bilbao confirms that we will face a very hard opponent on Sunday," the Spaniard said.

"It will be a battle."

The visitors will be without Belgian midfielder Dries Mertens, who is suspended, while home midfielder Giuseppe Vives serves a one-match ban.