Mazzarri: Fiorentina match ´a life or death game´

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has labeled this Saturday’s clash with Fiorentina a must-win game after losing midweek.

The Southern Italians went down 1-0 to Chievo on Wednesday, with a single goal from Davide Moscardelli enough to condemn Mazzarri’s charges to their first loss of the Serie A season.

Napoli are still in the upper reaches of the table with six points from three games so far but the coach recognises that another win is imperative if the club want to continue their dream of lifting the Scudetto in 2011-12.

“I knew that after the first defeat, the next one would be a life or death game,” the coach told reporters in Friday’s press conference.

He also defended the changes he made against Chievo, stating that they were vital to avoid injury.

“I had prepared the team working with our fitness coach, who told me which players were at risk,” he said.

“For me [Ignacio] Fideleff did well, he was the best on the pitch. If it was not for [Chievo’s] unfortunate revival, I am sure that we could have gone on to win. Against Cesena we gave them far more opportunities and ended up winning.”