Napoli boss Rafa Benitez has warned against Sampdoria’s confidence as his side prepare to travel to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Monday evening.
Benitez’s men are flying high of late and are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions, winning three and drawing two.
The Naples-based side have also fared well in their last five games against fellow Serie A side Sampdoria, winning four of the last five, but Benitez insists their opponents can still pose a threat to their recent form.
“We are preparing well for the game with Sampdoria, although at times I get angry because we don’t replicate what we do during the week in training,” Benitez said. “Samp are playing good football, are physically strong and brimming with confidence. We will try to win in Genoa, obviously.”
The former Liverpool manager also revealed that Napoli – who are priced at 2.19 to earn an victory on Monday – are waiting on a late update of the fitness of winger Dries Mertens.
The Belgium international suffered a head injury when featuring against Wales on international duty earlier in the month and Benitez admits he is now sweating over the star’s fitness.
He added: “Dries Mertens trained with the team normally. Tomorrow we’ll see how he does, though I don’t know if he can start on Monday. Unfortunately Michu needed this operation to his ankle and we’ll wait to see how he is.”
Leave a comment
Link Dafabet