Cagliari vs Napoli preview - De Laurentiis hails Benitez
Posted Friday, December 20, 2013 by PA
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is not surprised by the impact coach Rafa Benitez has had on his team.
Napoli head into Saturday's match at Cagliari knowing they will defintely finish the calendar year in third place in the Serie A standings.
Last weekend's 4-2 triumph over Inter Milan lifted Napoli five points clear of nearest rivals Fiorentina and just three points behind Roma, who are second.
It is a handy return following Benitez's arrival in the summer after he lead Chelsea to the Europa League last term.
"I had no doubt in my mind that Benitez was a lucky charm," De Laurentiis said. "He is an experienced coach and I knew he would start a new cycle."
Benitez replaced Walter Mazzarriand the former Liverpool and Chelsea tactician in his second stint in Serie A having guided Inter Milan for six months in 2010.
"Despite changing eight players with respect to last season, things have gone well for us," De Laurentiis said. "Of course we still need time.
"It's impossible to get to where we want immediately.
"We still have things left to do but we will do them with him (Benitez) because he is the architect of our project."
Despite being eliminated from the Champions League earlier this month, Napoli have plenty to look forward to in the coming year as they are alive in the scudetto battle, the Europa League and the Coppa Italia.
Rivals Cagliari have won just four league games this season but are nevertheless confident they can pull off a surprise win at the Sant' Elia stadium.
"It's true that Napoli are one of the best sides in Italy, along with Juventus and Roma," Cagliari midfielder Daniele Dessena said.
"They are a tough team to take on and we will need to be at our best to get a positive result.
"However, we are proving ourselves to be a side with great character and hunger.
"We want to take home the three points."
The Islanders have reason to be optimistic as last weekend's goalless result at Parma extended their unbeaten run to five games.
Cagliari, who are coached by Diego Lopez, lie 12th in the standings.
The hosts will be without suspended defender Luca Rossettini while Napoli are still without the services of injured midfielder Marek Hamsik.
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