Hellas Verona vs Napoli preview - We must stay focuced - Mandorlini

Posted Saturday, January 11, 2014 by PA

Hellas Verona are in fine fettle going into Sunday's home clash with Napoli - but coach Andrea Mandorlini has warned them the hard work is only just beginning.

The Verona club got off to a great start to 2014 by beating Udinese 3-1 in Udine on Monday.

The outcome followed their 4-1 triumph over Lazio and moved the promoted outfit to fifth place in the standings - 18 points clear of the drop zone.

"My players did what we set out to do from the start," Mandorlini said. "To have won in Udine is a great result and we are delighted."

Mandorlini has urged his players to keep their feet firmly on the ground and not get carried away by their good run of form.

"We must stay focused," Mandorlini said. "We are having a good season so far but we cannot forget that we are at the halfway point and we still have some work to do to defend our Serie A status.

"We are on the right path but there are many battles left to play and we must be humble."

One player that has stood out for Hellas this season is Luca Toni.

The Italian veteran forward is the team's leading scorer with nine goals so far.

"We are happy to have started the year well," Toni said. "But we now face two very difficult games against Napoli and AC Milan and we want to continue to do well."

Hellas, who have won eight of their nine games at home so far, can expect a stern test on Sunday when Napoli come to town.

The Naples outfit has won 12 of its 18 league games and won 2-0 against Sampdoria last time out to close the gap on second-place Roma to just two points.

"It is crucial for us to remain close to the top teams," said Napoli midfielder Dries Mertens. "We want to continue like this.

"We started the year in the best possible way and we need to give continuity to this result."

Rafa Benitez's men have won just two of their last five league games on the road and travel to Verona without Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami, who is out with a foot injury.