Inter Milan vs Napoli preview - Cavani crocked for Napoli

Posted Saturday, October 01, 2011 by PA

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis believes his side can overcome the absence of scoring machine Edinson Cavani in the clash with Inter Milan.

The Naples outfit travel north without Cavani, who was last season's top scorer in Serie A.

The Uruguay forward hurt his ankle during Tuesday's 2-0 triumph over Villarreal in the Champions League and has been ruled out of Saturday's game.

"I am saddened for Cavani because I know how much it hurts him to miss this game," De Laurentiis said. "But it's the time to give an opportunity to other players to show their value."

Napoli have not won at Inter since 1994, although the club have spent many of the years since in the lower divisions.

"The game at Inter is a beautiful one for many reasons," De Laurentiis said. "A long time has passed since we last won there.

"Moreover, Inter have found the light under new coach (Claudio) Ranieri.

"It's going to be a lively match and it will be a great spectacle."

Napoli, who are coached by Walter Mazzarri, have taken just one point from the last two games. They were held in a goalless draw last time out against Fiorentina.

Mazzarri is set to play with Marek Hamsik, Goran Pandev and Ezequiel Lavezzi in attack.

Inter, meanwhile, are hoping to build some momentum under Ranieri.

The veteran coach, who replaced Gian Piero Gasperini last week, seems to have turned the club's fortunes around.

He led them to their first win of the season, a 3-1 victory at Bologna, and then steered the Nerazzurri to a 3-2 triumph at CSKA Moscow in Tuesday's Champions League Group B clash.

"Ranieri is a great coach and we like him very much," Inter defender Yuto Nagatomo said. "We are playing better, we are improving and we are winning, which is the most important thing."

Inter, who are three points behind Napoli after four games played, are still without injured Wesley Sneijder, Dejan Stankovic, Ivan Cordoba, Maicon and Thiago Motta as well as suspended Andrea Ranocchia.

Inter striker Giampaolo Pazzini will have to pass a late fitness test to face Napoli.