Napoli vs Palermo preview - Armero aims to inspire Napoli

Posted Sunday, January 13, 2013 by PA

Napoli are mounting a renewed bid for the Serie A title and Pablo Armero is ready to fight for the cause after completing his long-awaited move from Udinese.

After weeks of negotiations, the Colombian winger has committed to the Azzurri until the end of the season, with a view to making the transfer permanent in June.

There is an air of positivity around the San Paolo once again after a depressing end to 2012, with an Edinson Cavani-inspired 4-1 victory over Roma putting Walter Mazzarri's men firmly back in the race for the Scudetto.

Now Armero is bringing his own brand of enthusiasm to proceedings and, ahead of Sunday's home clash against Palermo, he told the club's official website: "I'm delighted to be at Napoli.

"It's an enormous pleasure to wear this shirt. I can't wait to get to know my team-mates, to start work with the coach and to start playing at the San Paolo."

Armero also reunites with international team-mate Juan Camilo Zuniga in southern Italy, with the 27-year-old midfielder convinced his compatriot will be a huge success.

"Armero is a massive coup," Zuniga said. "He's a brilliant player and he will really help us out. I know him well as a person and he's a great guy.

"He's someone who never gives up and that is an important quality for us.

"When I heard that he was in talks to join I told him that Napoli would be a great place for him, with passionate fans who really love their football."

Zuniga is not taking struggling Palermo for granted, though, insisting Napoli's convincing win over Roma was an isolated result.

He added: "Nothing has changed for us, it's another cup final. We want to give our all and fight for the top spots.

"We have a strong team that never gives up and we will give our all in each and every match."

The Rosanero are floundering in 19th place having failed to win in five outings but club president Maurizio Zamparini is refusing to panic just yet.

He said: "Relegation would be a financial disaster. I'm really worried, but we will get out of it.

"(Head coach Gian Piero) Gasperini's team is playing well. It is better to play badly and win, though, but our only points have come through playing well.

"We're six or seven players down but the transfer market is difficult. We don't have a bad team but we are missing two or three key players on the pitch.

"We have to believe in ourselves."

Napoli have no injury or suspension concerns but Palermo midfielder Josip Ilicic serves a one-match ban, with strikers Abel Hernandez and Fabrizio Miccoli missing out through injury.