Hamsik: It’s not Juve’s title yet
NAPOLI SKIPPER SAYS ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN Champions target an Italian double and glory in Europe.
Napoli skipper Marek Hamsik insists his side are still in the Serie A title race as they battle to avoid falling seven points behind Juventus before the international break.
“Napoli aren’t giving up on anything,” said Hamsik, after sixtime defending champions Juventus pulled four points clear in midweek.
“Anything can happen. The league still gives us opportunities, there are so many points and so many games.”
Massimiliano Allegri’s Old Lady can extend that advantage today when they visit struggling SPAL.
With 10 games left, Napoli desperately need to return to winning ways at home against Genoa tomorrow.
Juventus’ victory against Atalanta was their 12th consecutive league win, and they have become accustomed to turning the championship into a one-horse race with the arrival of spring.
“I see a team that is growing,” said coach Allegri whose side are targeting an historic treble of Serie A, Italian Cup and Champions League titles.
The first big move has been made and Juve have not conceded a goal in the league since December 30 against Verona.
“The victory against Atalanta was very important to give a good blow to the championship, even if there are still many games left,” said defender Mattia de Sciglio.
Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli are in a mini-crisis having fallen to a 4-2 home defeat by Roma, followed by a goalless draw against Inter Milan at the San Siro last weekend.
“We have to believe to the end, there’s still the head-to-head game (against Juventus on April 22) and Juventus have two tough away games,” said Hamsik.
Roma will be looking to consolidate third position as they travel to Crotone after reaching the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in a decade.
Also riding high in Europe, fourth-placed Lazio host mid-table Bologna, trying to hold off Inter Milan, a point behind in fifth position.
Lazio reached the Europa League quarterfinals after a 2-0 second-leg win at Dynamo Kiev.
But AC Milan – six points off the Champions League places in sixth – are licking their wounds after being dumped out by Arsenal.
Next up for Gennaro Gattuso’s side, who are unbeaten in their last nine Serie A games, are lowly Chievo.
Fiorentina – still mourning the sudden death of their captain Davide Astori – travel north to Torino. – AFP