Ambitious Napoli out to end Juve’s unbeaten run

MILAN: Napoli will put their Serie A title credentials on the line today in a top-of-the-table clash against Juventus that is reviving memories of Diego Maradona’s fairytale spell at the club.

Napoli have not won the championship since 1990, three years after Maradona’s goals helped the Partenopei to an historic first of two league titles in 1987.

And as Walter Mazzarri’s side prepare for the mouthwatering clash at Juventus Stadium, the Old Lady of Turin boasts a league record 28 titles and an unbeaten streak extending to 45 games.

Napoli, however, have plenty going in their favour.

Mazzarri’s side are playing attractive, attacking football that has left their Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani top of the league scoring charts on six goals and they are the only other unbeaten team in the table.

Although still early in the campaign the game – historically regarded as a battle between the rich northerners and poor southerners – has dominated headlines for two weeks, relegating Italy’s ongoing World Cup campaign to the inside pages.

On fans’ forums memories of Napoli’s 3-1 win over Juventus in November 1986, six months before Maradona led them to an historic title triumph, have been evoked.

Napoli are also the only team since May 2011, when Juve’s unbeaten run began, to beat the Turin side in a 2-0 Italian Cup victory.

On paper both sides will be aiming for nothing less than three points. A draw would do neither any favours and give hope to Lazio and Inter Milan, who sit third and fourth respectively at four points adrift.

Mazzarri said Napoli were confident “because we can put any team in difficulty” but played the diplomat in denying Juve had so far been given an easy ride.

“Not even the European champions Chelsea have beaten Juve,” he said in an interview with La Repubblica newspaper referring to Juve’s 2-2 Champions Leaguedraw at Stamford Bridge. “No, they are really strong.” While Juventus usually count on several national team regulars, caretaker coach Massimo Carrera, standing in for the still suspended Antonio Conte, is not worry-free.

Keeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon remains a doubt with the left adductor muscle injury which forced him out of Italy’s 3-1 win over Denmark on Tuesday.

And while midfielder Andrea Pirlo will be ready to play his usual orchestrating roleaheadof a threeman ‘Azzurri’ defence of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, Carreramayhave to send out a makeshift attacking pair.

Mirko Vucinic returned from international duty with a cold, meaning Fabio Quagliarella could get to start against his former and hometown club. — AFP