Siena vs Napoli preview - Mazzarri urges Napoli improvement
Posted Sunday, January 22, 2012 by PA
Napoli have 10 points to make up on leaders Juventus and cannot afford to slip up at Siena if they are to maintain a realistic challenge for the Scudetto.
The Naples side were held to a 1-1 draw by Bologna on Monday and go into the encounter in Tuscany in sixth place in Serie A.
Napoli have taken just two wins in their last five league matches and coach Walter Mazzarri knows his team must do better.
"We weren't very lucid against Bologna and sometimes we want to attack so much that we then lose our balance," Mazzarri said.
"We are not a great team yet, we have to understand that and grow.
"It's true that we have beaten Manchester City (in the Champions League) this season, but that was a real miracle.
"I expect an improved performance and a win from my players at Siena."
Napoli will be at full strength at the Artemio Franchi Stadium with Argentinian striker Ezequiel Lavezzi having recovered from a thigh injury that kept him out of action since December.
Lavezzi is expected to play alongside Marek Hamsik and Edinson Cavani in attack.
Siena, meanwhile, are without the services of defender Luca Rossettini and midfielder Alessandro Gazzi through suspension.
The hosts are looking to bounce back from last weekend's 3-1 slip at Parma that saw their winless run on the road this season continue.
The result followed their 4-0 triumph over Lazio.
Giuseppe Sannino's side will be under pressure to take a positive result on Sunday knowing that a defeat could see them fall into the relegation zone.
Siena hold the last position of safety, one place and three points clear of 18th-place Cesena.
"We must get back on track and prepare well for Sunday's game against Napoli," Siena striker Emanuele Calaio said. "It's going to be a difficult game but we need all the points we can get."
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