Mazzarri urges Napoli to step up

Napoli head coach Walter Mazzarri is hoping his side will be well supported when they host Serie A leaders Udinese on Wednesday.

Napoli have picked up a single point from their last two league games and last weekend’s goalless draw at Cagliari saw them drop to fifth on the table.

And Mazzarri know they will need to be at their best if they are to take anything from Udinese, who have not lost in 10 league outings.

“I hope our players will be supported as we’ll be playing against the strongest team in the league,” Mazzarri said.

“If there are any moments in the match where Udinese are playing better than us, we should encourage our players to play to a higher level than expected.”

“Udinese have been playing very well for the last two years.”

“To draw with Bayern Munich at San Paolo stadium seemed to be almost impossible and therefore the sense of reality has been lost. We need to come down to earth again.”

The form of striker Edinson Cavani will be a key concern for Mazzarri, with the Argentine, who scored 33 goals in all competitions last season, having struggled to replicate that effort this term.

But Mazzarri refused to be drawn on Cavani’s form, saying the striker had his full backing.

“Like I did last year with Gargano, when I notice an exaggerated criticism, I always support my players,” he said. “Right now Cavani is not under discussion.”

Mazzarri believes one of the main reasons behind Udinese’s success so far this season is coach Francesco Guidolin, who he credited with helping to break the dominance of the ‘big three’ – Juventus, AC Milan and Inter.

“Why do I consider Guidolin one of the best coaches in Europe? Because he is a smart coach,” Mazzarri said.

“The concept of the three big teams always winning doesn’t exist anymore and this is very positive. The positive thing is that there may be surprises.”