Napoli face Milan for mouthwatering clash

This weekend sees last season's runners-up AS Roma travel to Juventus, the team who last term finished a place below them, but the big match will be at the San Siro where AC Milan entertain Naples.

That's because a rejuvenated Naples are second in Serie A, just goal difference behind leaders Udinese with Milan one point and one place further back.

Few people would have expected either Naples or Udinese to be leading the way nine matches into the season but what makes Naples' run so exciting is that it is really a re-emergence.

Udinese have been over-performing for years and even qualified for the 2006 Champions League by finishing fourth in 2005 but they are still a small town club.

Naples, on the other hand, once had Diego Maradona on their books, won the Serie A crown in 1987 and 1990 and even had a crowd of more than 60,000 people come to watch them when playing in the country's third division.

This is increasingly looking like the second coming of one of the country's sleeping giants.

Having beaten Juventus and drawn with Roma already this season, this will be the biggest test yet for Edy Reja's men, who has admitted that some people are already thinking about the scudetto.

“It's true they can't calm the enthusiasm in this city even though there are teams such as Milan, Juve and Inter but I have to admit that being ahead of the nerazzurri (Inter) is incredible,” he said.

“As for Sunday's clash against Milan, the rossoneri are favourites but it's difficult to win two matches in a row at home.”

While Reja is right that Milan should be the favourites, current form this season would suggest otherwise.

Milan's last two matches have been narrow victories over Atalanta and Siena while Naples won at Lazio and then thumped Reggina 3-0 at home.

One reason that Naples are where they are is that this season they have managed to win the matches they should be winning, something that cost them last time around.

That was evident against Reggina, who were simply blown away. One of the stars of Naples' season so far is Argentine forward Ezequiel Lavezza.

“Last year we had some problems against Reggina but this year we managed to win,” he said.

“We have to continue in this vein because we know against Milan it will be difficult but we're going there to play our game.”

Naples' success has somewhat overshadowed that of Udinese, who are likely to last longer at the top.

While Naples travel to Milan, Udinese host Genoa on Sunday and, with a strong home record and the best strike-force in the league, they will be expecting to win and stay top.

But coach Pasquale Marino isn't counting on that lasting too long, saying: “It's nice to be top but we've got to be realistic. Behind us there are some big teams.”

As well as Milan in third, champions Inter are fourth just two points off top and although they failed to score in their previous two matches, they travel to rock-bottom Reggina next.

Juventus are just four points off top having won their last two matches but on Saturday they will come up against a highly motivated Roma, now down in 16th and 13 points off the pace after their clash with Sampdoria on Wednesday was called off due to the weather.

Fifth placed Fiorentina travel to Siena while resurgent Lazio host Catania in other games.

Fixtures:

Saturday

Juventus v Roma, Reggina v Inter Milan

Sunday

AC Milan v Naples, Atalanta v Lecce, Cagliari v Bologna, Lazio v Catania, Palermo v Chievo, Sampdoria v Torino, Siena v Fiorentina, Udinese v Genoa