Napoli vs Atalanta preview - Mazzarri wants Napoli to bounce back

Posted Wednesday, April 11, 2012 by PA

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has ordered his players to move on quickly from the disappointment of last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Lazio if they are to retain any hope of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

The Naples outfit host Atalanta on Wednesday trailing third-place Lazio by six points and knowing time is running out to bridge that margin with seven games left to play.

Their hopes of doing that were, however, dealt a major blow on Saturday, not only because of their failure to get a result in Rome but also because of the ill-discipline that will deny them of three players.

Defenders Miguel Angel Britos and Paolo Cannavaro as well as midfielder Juan Zuniga must all serve a one-match ban.

"We cannot look back, we have to keep on playing," Mazzarri said.

"We didn't deserve a defeat at Lazio but we must turn the page.

"When you look at the table then we have a duty to keep on trying to achieve our aim."

Napoli have mustered two points in their last four league games and lie fifth in the standings.

Rivals Atalanta travel to the San Paolo stadium also on the back of two straight defeats.

Last weekend's 2-1 loss to Siena followed their 2-0 slip at Cagliari and dropped the Bergamaschi to 13th place.

Atalanta have yet to guarantee Serie A safety having taken 37 points from 31 games.

"Despite the result, against Siena we handed our best performances this year," Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono said. "Hence, I am confident we can play a good game in Naples.

"Napoli are favourites but we will try to make life difficult for them."

German Denis, who is Atalanta's top scorer this season with 15 league goals, will play from the start having come on as a substitute against Siena.

The visitors are without defender Daniele Capelli, midfielder Matteo Brighi and striker Guido Marilungo, all out injured.

Moreover, defender Thomas Manfredini is suspended.