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| | Reja: Now comes the hard part |
Sunday 16 November, 2008 |
| Edy Reja's men are on spectacular form and he warns the hard work comes now: Can Napoli prove they belong with the big clubs?
The southerners went into this weekend just one point off the Serie A leaders and are fresh from a midweek Coppa Italia triumph over local rivals Salernitana.
“This game is absolutely crucial for Napoli's ambitions,” he said of the visit to Atalanta, where last season they were thrashed 5-1.
“It has not been easy to reach this high level in the table, but it will be even more difficult to maintain this tempo.
“If we do it, and continue to stay up there at the halfway stage of the season, then it will mean we have what it takes to battle the big clubs right to the end.
“Last year our 5-1 defeat here was down to the wrong approach from the start of the game, as we just weren't there at all. This time is going to be very different.”
Atalanta have been struggling of late, but Reja will not take a result for granted at the Stadio Azzurri d'Italia.
“Atalanta are a tough side and in particular they set a tough tempo on home turf. They will be even more motivated with players like Sergio Floccari and Cristiano Doni coming back into the side. I know Doni well, he is able to score and create goals.
“I have confidence we can take the right approach, because we are doing well both physically and psychologically.”
Napoli squad: Iezzo, Navarro, Aronica, Cannavaro, Contini, Rinaudo, Santacroce, Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik, Maggio, Mannini, Montervino, Pazienza, Vitale, Denis, Lavezzi, Pià, Zalayeta
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