Fate in our hands, says Mazzarri

Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri wants his side to take charge of their own destiny when they face Villarreal in the Champions League.

Victory at the Madrigal on Wednesday will see the Italians through to the knockout stages as runners-up in Group A, irrespective of the outcome of Manchester City’s meeting with Bayern Munich.

Napoli will also progress if City fail to win, but Mazzarri does not want to be left relying on Bayern doing his side a favour.

“We must think only of our match, must focus on our game and our way of playing football and ignore everything else,” Mazzarri said.

Villarreal have nothing to play for, something which should work in Napoli’s favour. However, Mazzarri remains wary of the threat posed by the home side.

“Villarreal have had very bad luck in this Champions League and on paper they have nothing to play for, but they have their pride and their footballing values and all their players will be entering the field wanting to win the game,” he said.

“Villarreal are a very organised team and, despite their multiple injuries, I am sure they will go out on the pitch determined to beat us.”

Allowing himself to entertain the thought of reaching the last 16, Mazzarri admitted that it would be a wonderful achievement for the club and its supporters.

“We believe that being in the final match of the group stage with the chance to progress is incredible,” Mazzarri said.

“We know this is a great event for everyone in the city and the crowded Naples airport showed that this morning (Tuesday).”

“But for me personally this is just as important as our other matches.”

Meanwhile, Villarreal boss Juan Carlos Garrido has revealed he will field an under-strength line up for the match.

“We are in a recovery phase so we have to give some players a few minutes playing time to introduce them gradually into the team,” Garrido said.

“We will field the players who are in the best condition, the ones who can last for 90 minutes.”

“We will use this match to restore our players’ confidence, and obviously to get strength for the rest of the season.”