No panic, says Szczesny as Napoli loom

– On-loan Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny (right) has yet to decide his future, but has no doubts about Roma’s approach when they face Napoli looking to stay in Serie A title contention today.

“They will fight for the win,” Szczesny said. “But these are games when mentality makes the difference.”

In what is Francesco Totti’s 25th and final season for the club, Roma are enjoying yet another tilt at the title that Juventus, away to midtable Udinese tomorrow, have won the past five seasons.

But days after Belgian midfield-

Milan

er Radja Nainggolan hit a spectacular brace to embellish a 3-1 masterclass at Inter Milan, Roma lost 2-0 to city rivals Lazio in their Cup semifinal first leg.

Szczesny did not expect coach Luciano Spalletti to panic for a potent Napoli side still reeling from a shock 2-0 home defeat to 10-man Atalanta which virtually ended their hopes of challenging Juventus for the title.

Doubts over the future of Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri have also emerged following a recent spat with owner Aurelio de Laurentiis.

Defeat to Atalanta last week left Napoli 12 points adrift of Juve, virtually ending their chances of challenging for a title they last won in 1990.

Sarri is expected to assemble his strongest possible side and that means Dries Mertens, who has hit three hat-tricks while deputising for Arkadiusz Milik during a four-month injury absence, is likely to get the nod over the now-fit Pole.

Juventus will be without injured midfielder Stefano Sturaro for the trip to Udinese due to an ongoing stomach muscle problem.

But with Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic all fit, Massimiliano Allegri’s men should have little trouble prevailing against a Udinese side who suffered a 4-0 loss in the corresponding fixture last year.

High-flying Atalanta, only three points behind Napoli in fourth and sitting ahead of Lazio, Inter and AC Milan, welcome Fiorentina looking to keep fans dreaming of Champions League football for yet another week.

Lazio, one point behind Atalanta, will look to build on their impressive display against Roma away to Bologna, who have suffered two defeats and a draw since their 7-1 home rout by Napoli last month. –