Napoli seek comfort in domestic action after Champions League loss

leaders Napoli visit Chievo on Sunday after complicating their Champions League campaign with a 4-2 home defeat to Manchester City yesterday, while Juventus and Roma remained on pace to qualifying from their groups.

The Neapolitans are unbeaten in domestic action with a single draw in 11 games and sit two points ahead of Inter Milan, with champions Juve and Lazio a further point behind.

But in order to advance in the elite tournament they must now win the two last group games and hope that second-placed Shakhtar Donetsk falter.

Coach Maurizio Sarri had fullback Faouzi Ghoulam injured against City, and looked at the team’s overall performance to soothe the disappointment for the defeat ahead of the Sunday league trip to mid-table Chievo.

“I think this match will boost our conviction and confidence that we can compete with top teams,” Sarri said. “This is another step forward because we now know that we can dominate great sides like Manchester City.”

Roma’s step forward was a convincing 3-0 defeat of Chelsea on Tuesday to seize their group’s lead.

“Great performance, great evening, great Roma,” tweeted retired Roma star Francesco Totti.

The Romans, who are now to visit Fiorentina, sit fifth seven points from the top, with a game in hand.

Juventus are to don a special shirt to celebrate their 120th anniversary when they welcome newcomers Benevento, sitting last and still without a point.

The Bianconeri drew 1-1 at Sporting Lisbon, staying second in their group and once again showing to be struggling for top form.

“We made a lot of mistakes – our execution wasn’t as good as it could have been,” Juan Cuadrado said.

“But we need to stay calm. The result is still positive. Now we need to go and win the next one (against Barcelona).

“When you play lots of games, you start to feel that fatigue. But that should not be an excuse. We need to remember that we’re a strong side who can get results.”

Mid-week action is not an issue for unbeaten Inter, who open the Sunday programme by welcoming Torino. – dpa