Verona Coach Andrea Mandorlini expects “a difficult game for many reasons” at Napoli’s Stadio San Paolo.

It kicks off today at 17.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.

“I think this can be a difficult game for many reasons,” said Mandorlini in his Press conference.

Verona Coach Andrea Mandorlini expects “a difficult game for many reasons” at Napoli’s Stadio San Paolo.

It kicks off today at 17.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.

“I think this can be a difficult game for many reasons,” said Mandorlini in his Press conference.

“Pre-season Napoli were considered to be one of the favourites for the Scudetto. As I always say, we need to look inside our own house.”

There is bound to be a tense atmosphere in Naples, as the Partenopei saw the team bus attacked by their own fans after a 2-0 Europa League defeat to Young Boys on Thursday.

“Clearly it is tough for us to predict how the atmosphere could affect Napoli. We have to play our game, keep an eye out for their quality and in particular on their excellent strikers.

“Verona are in good shape, although we paid a heavy price for mistakes against Milan. We rarely make technical errors like that to concede counter-attacks or even score an own goal.

“I read someone suggested Milan played a Verona-style game, but the real problem was that we didn’t play like Verona. When taking on a big team, you must above all maintain concentration and not make it easy for them.”

There won’t be Verona fans at the San Paolo, as they are barred from travelling due to a history of problems with Napoli supporters, so this was considered a high-risk game.

“We hope to put in a good performance for all those fans who cannot be there.”

Mandorlini is particularly pleased to be facing Jorginho, who shot to fame at Verona and made the move to Napoli in January.

“He has enormous talent, but at times struggles to prove it consistently. At Napoli they still need to realise his potential, but they will do sooner or later. Young players are like popsicles, they need to be eaten slowly.”

Rafael Marquez is suspended, while Guillermo Rodriguez, Jacopo Sala and Mounir Obbadi are sidelined.

Verona squad for Napoli: Rafael, Benussi, Gollini; Sorensen, Luna, Moras, Marques, Brivio, Agostini, Gonzalez, Martic; Hallfredsson, Ionita, Valoti, Campanharo, Tachtsidis; Saviola, Toni, Jankovic, Lopez, Gomez Taleb, Nenè

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