Napoli vs Catania preview - De Laurentiis content with window shopping

Posted Saturday, February 02, 2013 by PA

President Aurelio De Laurentiis feels Napoli made all the right moves in the transfer window as the race for the Serie A title heats up.

Four wins from five games have seen Napoli close to within three points of Juventus, who are struggling for consistency ahead of a difficult run of games that precedes a trip to the the San Paolo on March 1.

De Laurentiis may have been thwarted in his attempts to recruit highly-rated Sampdoria striker Mauro Icardi but he did secure promising Croatian midfielder Josip Radosevic, with Porto defender Rolando joining on loan.

He told sscnapoli.it: "I'm happy with what we've done. Radosevic is a great investment for the future, he's a young lad with a great physique that could give us a boost.

"We've done what we needed to do, acting with caution and taking into account what our coach wanted.

"It was a really difficult negotiation process for Rolando but we managed to bring him in after all.

"We tried to get Icardi as well, I've been keen on him since Christmas, but sometimes things don't go your way.

"I will certainly work hard from now to July to ensure we make some big moves to become a bigger force next season."

Catania travel to the mainland on a similar upward trajectory to their hosts, having climbed into seventh place on the back of three consecutive victories.

Rolando Maran's Elefanti play a similar counter-attacking style to Napoli and De Laurentiis is suitably wary.

"Catania are an extremely strong team with a coach who has been a revelation," he added. "They are a club that has made giant leaps forward in the last few years."

Napoli allowed defenders Bruno Uvini and Federico Fernandez to join Siena and Getafe on loan before the deadline, while Hugo Campagnaro and Miguel Britos serve suspensions.

Catania, who are missing Fabio Sciacca and Sergio Almiron through injury, could end up in fifth place come Sunday morning, should they take all three points.

Forward Pablo Barrientos told Gazzetta.it: "We are a team that plays exciting football.

"We are living through a fantastic time and we don't want it to stop, but we know that Napoli are one of the strongest sides around at the moment.

"But we've improved away from home and we will make sure we enjoy the occasion on Saturday."