Atalanta vs Napoli preview - Callejon close to Napoli record

Posted Tuesday, October 28, 2014 by PA

Napoli forward Jose Callejon will join Diego Maradona in the club's record books on Wednesday if he scores at Atalanta.

The Spaniard has found the back of the net in his team's last five league games and another goal in Bergamo would see him equal Maradona's mark of scoring in six straight league games, which he managed in the 1987-88 campaign.

Callejon, who joined Napoli from Real Madrid in 2013 and has scored 27 times in 65 appearances, has proved a lucky charm for Rafa Benitez's side.

Napoli have yet to lose a game when Callejon scores.

His latest strike in Sunday's 6-2 demolition of Hellas Verona also took him to the top of the Serie A scoring charts with seven goals.

The victory was Napoli's fourth of the campaign and saw Benitez's side climb to seventh place, eight points adrift of leaders Juventus.

"We really needed this win," Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik said. "We are delighted with the three points but also very happy that Gonzalo Higuain was able to get on the scoresheet."

Higuain opened his Serie A goal account this season with a hat-trick against Hellas.

"Higuain is a champion," Benitez said. "He could have scored even more goals against Hellas.

"We have top quality players and a more competitive team than with respect to last season."

Napoli travel to Bergamo having to do without midfielder Camilo Zuniga.

Zuniga got hurt at the weekend and tests have confirmed a sprain in his right knee.

Rivals Atalanta go into the encounter at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium on the back of Sunday's 2-0 reverse at Udinese.

The result was Atalanta's fifth loss in their last six league game and dropped Stefano Colantuono's side to 16th place, one point clear of the drop zone.

"We played an awful game in Udine from start to finish," Colantuono side. "I didn't recognise my side.

"I hope my players can make amends and hand a good performance against Napoli."