Napoli vs Catania preview - Cavani eyes third spot

Posted Sunday, March 25, 2012 by PA

Napoli striker Edinson Cavani is confident his side can finish third in Serie A this season.

The Naples outfit have taken 16 points from their last six league games and head into Sunday's game against Catania in fourth spot, just one place and one point behind Lazio, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

"Our aim is to play in the Champions League next season and we have the potential to finish third," Cavani said.

"We hope to show in our remaining games the same determination we have displayed of late and take as many points as possible to achieve our aim."

Napoli go into the encounter at the San Paolo stadium sky-high in confidence after reaching their first final since 1997.

Walter Mazzarri's men overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit to defeat Siena 2-0 on Wednesday and set up a Coppa Italia final with Juventus.

Napoli will take on Juventus in Rome on May 20.

"We are very happy," Cavani said. "Our aim at the start of the year was to reach the final of the Coppa.

"We will now try to win it although it will be difficult against Juventus.

"But for now, we must turn our attention to the league and to the game against Catania."

Napoli's opponents tomorrow are also setting their sights firmly on a place in Europe next season with 10 games of the Serie A season remaining.

Up to now, the Sicilians had remained cautious about their chances of finishing in the top five this season.

But last weekend's 1-0 triumph over Lazio appears to have convinced Catania that their dreams could come true.

Vincenzo Montella's side are seventh in the standings, three places and six points behind Napoli.

"We cannot hide and pretend that defending our Serie A status is enough," Catania defender Nicola Legrottaglie said. "We have to try until the end to qualify for Europe next season.

"There are many games left to play and we are there.

"We have the duty to at least try."

Catania face a stern test, with Napoli unbeaten at home since December 18.

The hosts will be without injured midfielders Christian Maggio and Marco Donadel.