Napoli vs Lazio preview - Cavani - We're focused on league

Posted Saturday, November 19, 2011 by PA

Napoli striker Edinson Cavani insists his side will not be distracted by their Champions League game with Manchester City when they host Lazio.

The Naples outfit takes on City at a sold-out San Paolo stadium on Tuesday with both sides looking to take a giant step towards the knock-out stages of the competition.

Despite the obvious attraction of next week's clash, Cavani believes his side's only focus right now is on the domestic front.

Napoli, who are coached by Walter Mazzarri, are sixth in the Serie A standings, seven points behind Lazio but have a game in hand.

"We are not thinking about the game against City," Cavani said.

"Right now our only focus is on the game against Lazio.

"Once that game is over, we will turn our attention to the Champions League."

Cavani believes Napoli are underdogs heading into this weekend's match.

Napoli have won just one of their last four league games while Lazio are riding an eight-match unbeaten run.

"If we look at the standings, Lazio are firm favourites," Cavani said.

"But we are determined to get a good result and we will not go down without a fight."

Lazio are level on 21 points with Serie A leaders Udinese after 10 games.

The Biancoceleste have shown little signs of weakness so far, conceding just one goal in their last four league encounters while finding the back of the net seven times in as many games.

Fortunately for Napoli, Lazio travel south having to do without several key players, including the team's top scorer Miroslav Klose.

The Germany striker, who has struck six league goals so far, is out with a muscular injury.

To complicate matters for Lazio coach Edy Reja, veteran forward Tommaso Rocchi and defender Andre Dias are also out injured.

Reja is expected to field Djibril Cisse as the lone striker.

Cisse has not scored in Serie A since Lazio's 2-2 draw at AC Milan on September 9 and there will be no better time than Saturday for the French forward to make amends.

"As a striker, it's difficult when you go through spells when you don't score," Cisse said.

"But I am not giving up and I hope I can help the team on Saturday."