Mazzarri urges Cagliari caution

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri has warned his players not to underestimate Cagliari ahead of their Serie A meeting on Sunday.

Napoli are second on the table, four points clear of third-placed AC Milan, who they held to a 1-1 draw last week.

Mazzarri stressed that his men must avoid complacency after a 2-2 draw with Catania last season saw them miss out on a Champions League berth.

“I’m more tense and nervous today than last week before Milan,” Mazzarri said.

“I see a big danger tomorrow and I hope I can be clear enough to my players: the game against Catania cost us the Champions League last season.

“We would have closed third if we didn’t lose that match. We’re in the same situation now and we cannot be complacent.

“I’m worried that my players think that they have secured second place after the draw to Milan.

“Many people think this; I only hope they don’t fall into the same trap, because we already made the mistake of underestimating a fixture.

“After this press conference I’ll see them and I’ll try to make them understand that tomorrow’s game will be even more difficult than the one against Milan.”

Mazzarri said he expected 10th-placed Cagliari to head into the contest playing as if they had nothing to lose.

“It will be a very tough game tomorrow, the stats support my opinion,” he said.

“Cagliari have gained two points more than us in the second half of the season, they have only lost once, they won in Rome and they’re in great shape at the moment.

“They’ve been playing well and they have no worries because they’re already safe from the relegation zone, having already gained 40 points.

“So whatever happens tomorrow we will have to fight until the very end.”