Fiorentina vs Napoli preview - Benitez aims to maintain intensity

Rafael Benitez expects Napoli to arrive in Florence with the same ruthless mindset that saw them thrash Young Boys in the Europa League this week.

The Swiss club, who won the first Group I meeting between the sides 2-0 last month, were brushed aside 3-0 in Naples as a rampant Jonathan de Guzman helped himself to a hat-trick of goals from different positions.

Next up for Napoli are Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The Tuscans were also in Europa League action on Thursday night but could only hold Greek outfit PAOK Salonika to a 1-1 draw.

"It was a great performance from the whole group," head coach Benitez told sscnapoli.it. "Despite the various changes I made to the team the players expressed themselves at a high level and showed we have a quality squad.

"Now we're going to Florence trying to emulate that same intensity and play the same type of game.

"We have to take each game as it comes, that's the target we have set ourselves and that is what we are pursuing."

Benitez will run the rule over struggling full-back Juan Camilo Zuniga and injured striker Michu before naming his starting XI while striker Giuseppe Rossi and winger Federico Bernardeschi remain sidelined for Fiorentina.

One major positive for La Viola is the return to action of regular injury absentee German striker Mario Gomez, who started his first game since September against PAOK.

He may have failed to put any of his numerous shots away but boss Vincenzo Montella is prepared to be patient.

"You have to be objective and optimistic with him," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "He hasn't enjoyed any continuity in training over the last 18 months and therefore he cannot be the polished article.

"I do expect more from him but I can't judge him on what he is doing right now."

Tenth-placed Fiorentina are among the least consistent teams in the league but their last appearance on home turf saw them dole out a 3-0 defeat to early surprise package Udinese.

Napoli, meanwhile, remain two places and one point outside of the final Champions League place having downed title hopefuls Roma 2-0 last time out.