Napoli boss out to end Atalanta hoodoo

Date: 28th October 2014 at 1:05pm
Written by:

Benitez - NapoliNapoli coach Rafael Benitez knows just how difficult a test Atalanta will pose for his side and wants to put the idea that they are a ‘bogey’ team for his side firmly behind them on Wednesday night.

The Orobici have won a sizeable 31% of their league meetings against their southern counterparts with a 3-0 success last season among the highlights and from 1996 until 2008, across two divisions, they lost just once in 13 games.

But Benitez, speaking in his press conference at Castelvolturno, began: “We have a lot of respect for every team we come up against but more so those that Napoli historically struggle against.

“I still cannot explain the game [3-0] last year, it is not easy to understand that. It will be difficult because just like us, they need points.”

With a big Derby della Sole looming large against Roma this weekend after the trip to Bergamo, the Champions League winning boss is not even thinking about looking beyond the game at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia.

He added: “If we do what we need to do against Atalanta, then the game against Roma will become very important. But if we think about Roma without concentrating on Atalanta then that would be a major mistake.”

There are slight signs of encouragement for the Partenopei coach after a shaky start to the season. Talismanic players like Marek Hamsik and Gonzalo Higuain’s floundering form had not helped them in that regard.

However, both were standout figures in Napoli’s dazzling 6-2 success against Hellas Verona.

“Gonzalo had worked well all week but he has to score goals and he has taken this weight off his shoulders, like Marek,” Benitez continued. “Marek is a major player as you saw against Verona.

“His form on the field does not make sense sometimes, he just needs to show more confidence in himself. He is a player of the highest level, who has now scored and can think even more of helping the team.”

For the trip to Bergamo, Benitez confirmed that his side will be without Walter Gargano who has a cheekbone problem while Michu and Juan Zuniga have ankle injuries.

 

Comments are closed.