Mazzarri not playing favourites

Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri has insisted the Coppa Italia remains as much a priority for his team as Serie A this season.

An appearance in the final against either AC Milan or Juventus beckons if they overcome a 2-1 deficit against Siena in the second leg of their semi-final in Naples on Wednesday.

But Napoli are also chasing Serie A’s third and final UEFA Champions League spot – and are just a point behind Lazio after five league wins in six.

“Choosing between the Coppa Italia trophy and third position in the league is not our idea of football, we don’t choose and nobody can choose in football, nobody knows what could happen,” Mazzarri said.

“We’ll try to give all that we have in every tournament we play, as we did in the Champions League and unfortunately we were knocked out. We’ll try to give our best and use our potential well.”

“Our schedule is very tight and we’re already focused on the next game, but it’s fine, we deserve to be in (the) semi-final and we want to reach the end of the tournament in the best possible way – by winning over two legs.”

Mazzari said striker Edinson Cavani, whose two late goals saved a point at Udinese at the weekend, will be fit for the Siena game.

“I think Edinson Cavani is ready to play, while I still have some doubts on Christian Maggio, we’ll see and make a decision tomorrow,” he said.

“Let’s focus on overturning the first leg result against Siena. We played badly in the first leg and it will be tough tomorrow.”

“If we manage to reach the final, anything could happen – obviously it would be great for us to win, but it’s better not to say anything before, let’s make our actions speak instead.”