Napoli vs Lazio preview - Mazzarri urges Napoli to get back on track

Walter Mazzarri wants Napoli to return to their ruthless best against Lazio in Serie A on Wednesday, after the Partenopei were finally halted at Catania.

Mazzarri's men announced themselves as serious challengers to reigning champions Juventus with three straight victories full of incisive attacking football, also sweeping aside AIK Solna in the Europa League.

But Catania put the brakes on the mainland outfit's early momentum and spoilt their 100% record by restricting them to a frustrating goalless draw in Sicily.

Ever the optimist, Mazzarri refused to dwell too much on Sunday's setback, but urged a prompt return to recent high standards.

He told the Gazzetta dello Sport: "I like to see the glass as half full.

"We made a satisfying start to the season, I'm happy with the points we earned but our performance was lacking against Catania. Modern football is based on several concepts.

"We need to be ferocious, play at a high tempo and move the ball around quickly, but I didn't see any of that at Catania.

"And if we don't show those qualities against Lazio we will make fools of ourselves.

"That's certainly what I told the boys after the flight back from Sicily.

"We need to play as a team or we will suffer the same fate as we did against Catania.

"I want to see my Napoli side, the one that never gives up, that attacks and doesn't give the opponent time to breathe.

"And we need to limit Lazio's possession, we need to be brave in the middle of the park."

Napoli have not failed to score at their San Paolo base since an ill-tempered stalemate against Cesena in February of this year.

Mazzarri insists certain personnel were blameless in a similar performance at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

"(Gokhan) Inler? He wasn't as bad as the others were in Catania," he added.

"I'll have to check he's OK because he has a small ankle problem.

"I won't make many changes, (Salvatore) Aronica is no young kid and can keep on playing.

"(Giandomenico) Mesto's inclusion would slow us down, he's not played at all.

"(Edinson) Cavani and (Goran) Pandev deserve to keep their places."

Lazio had matched their opponents' impressive start with three straight victories until defeat at Genoa burst Vladimir Petkovic's bubble.

The Bosnian coach told the Gazzetta dello Sport: "It will be a significant match. They're a great side and we go into the game on the back of a defeat.

"We want to confirm our progress and paper over the cracks that emerged in the last game.

"It will be a highly tactical affair that will be decided by the details. But we have the strength of character and knowledge that we can do well against everybody."