Napoli vs Lazio preview - Benitez wants to finish on high - 7M sport

Napoli vs Lazio preview - Benitez wants to finish on high



Posted Saturday, May 30, 2015 by PA

Rafael Benitez is determined to leave Napoli with a farewell gift of Champions League football next season as the Spaniard prepares for his final game in charge of the Partenopei.

Benitez announced on Thursday that he is leaving the club after two seasons in charge, with all signs pointing towards the former Liverpool boss being confirmed as the new Real Madrid coach next week.

Before then though, Benitez is determined to go out on a high with Napoli, with his side hosting Lazio on Sunday where a victory could see them snatch third place off their opponents and with it entry into the Champions League.

"On Sunday we are facing a very important match. My thoughts are turned only towards the match against Lazio," said Benitez

"I want to end my cycle here with a victory and a place in the qualifying round of the Champions League."

Benitez, who led Napoli to the Coppa Italia and a top-three finish in Serie A last season, believes the club is stronger than it was when he arrived.

"I'm convinced that the squad and the club have grown in my time here," he added. "A lot of positive things have been done, this year we've played 59 matches and gone all the way in three competitions."

Napoli, who were eliminated by Dnipro in the semi-finals of the Europa League, have lost just three games at their San Paolo stadium this season and are unbeaten in their last five league meetings with Lazio, winning four.

Despite those records, however, Lazio coach Stefano Pioli is optimistic his side will rise to the occasion and get the result they need to qualify for the Champions League.

Lazio only require a point in Naples to seal third place and join Juventus and Roma in Europe's elite club competition next season.

Lazio head into the match wounded by Monday's 2-1 derby defeat to Roma, a result that ensured their city rivals of direct qualification to Europe's elite club competition.

"We didn't deserve to lose but this is football," Pioli told the Italian press. "The players were very disappointed to have lost the derby and rightfully so.

"But I have a strong group and I know they will pick themselves up and prepare for Sunday's match in the best possible way."

Lazio have won just one of their last four league games but have lost just once in their last seven games away from home.



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