Paolo Cannavaro faces his former club for the first time as Napoli visit Sassuolo” data-scaytid=”2″>Sassuolo, a team they failed to beat this season.

It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.

Paolo Cannavaro faces his former club for the first time as Napoli visit Sassuolo, a team they failed to beat this season.

It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.

When these sides met earlier this term, it ended 1-1 at the Stadio San Paolo, one of the most surprising results of the campaign, especially as it came straight after a 7-0 defeat to Inter.

Sassuolo have a new Coach in Alberto Malesani and completely revamped their team over the January transfer window.

Among the new arrivals was Cannavaro, the former Napoli captain who left his beloved hometown club just over two weeks ago after being repeatedly dropped by Rafa Benitez.

Aleandro Rosi sits out a ban with Thomas Manfredini, Emanuele Terranova, Davide Biondini, Alexe, Gabriele Masucci and Francesco Magnanelli sidelined.

Napoli are fresh from their impressive 3-0 Coppa Italia semi-final victory over Roma on Wednesday and must also prepare for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Swansea City.

Benitez is forced into quite a few changes anyway, as Jorginho, Jose Callejon and Gokhan Inler all sit out bans.

Juan Camilo Zuniga and Giandomenico Mesto are still long-term injury absentees, while Rafael is preferred in goal after a slight injury for Pepe Reina in training.

Lorenzo Insigne starts, but there is no rest for Gonzalo Higuain.

Sassuolo: Pegolo; Antei, Cannavaro, Ariaudo; Gazzola, Marrone, Brighi, Longhi; Berardi, Floro Flores, Sansone

Sassuolo bench: Polito, Pomini; Pucino, Mendes, Chibsah, Missiroli, Farias, Floccari, Zaza

Napoli: Rafael; Maggio, Fernandez, Albiol, Ghoulam; Behrami, Dzemaili; Insigne, Hamsik, Mertens; Higuain

Napoli bench: Reina, Colombo, Nikita; Henrique, Britos, Reveillere, Radosevic, Pandev, Zapata

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