Catania have a strong record against Napoli, so Coach Rolando Maran urges his men to face them “without fear.”

Catania have a strong record against Napoli, so Coach Rolando Maran urges his men to face them “without fear.”

The Partenopei have never won this Serie A fixture, managing only two Serie B victories in Sicily in 1950 and 2002. Click here for a match preview.

“We’re going into a complicated game against an opponent that will play with a lot of grit,” warned Maran.

“Above all, we must not lack the courage to take the initiative and control the play. This has to be our prerogative.”

Yet Napoli are defending a 100 per cent record so far between Serie A and the Europa League, crushing Swedes AIK 4-0 on Thursday night with a second-string side.

“Napoli are among the most difficult opponents in Serie A and do so much damage with through balls. Without doubt, we will make tactical adjustments to fight their strengths, but we also have to play like Catania, without fear. We will approach this with our usual courage.”

However, Maran insists those changes will not include a man-marker on Edinson Cavani.

“There is no defender particularly suited to marking Cavani. Every defender who steps on to the field will have to give his best and not just when challenging the Uruguayan. It’ll take a perfect performance, that’s the truth.”

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