Jose Callejon... special game for Napoli tonight.Jose Callejon has acknowledged that Napoli’s fixture with runaway Serie A leaders Juventus is a big game for the club as they chase a second-placed finish.
Juventus are 14 points clear at the head of the table having lost just once in the league all season, with Roma separating them from Rafael Benitez’s Napoli.
A 3-0 win in Turin earlier in the campaign will give Juventus plenty of confidence as they travel to Naples today but former Real Madrid striker Callejon is keen for the hosts to come out on top.
“Juventus is an important game for us and for all of Naples,” he said.
“We all know that it is particularly special game for our fans. We would like to do well because we have the goal of second place and we will try until the end. There are still many points to play for and we will fight in every game.
Callejon moved to Stadio San Paolo from Madrid last summer and has scored 13 goals in all competitions so far as Benitez has relied on the former Spain Under-21 international and Gonzalo Higuain to fire Napoli back into the Champions League.
With a six-point deficit to Roma, Benitez will still be looking for a top-two finish and an Italian Cup success at the end of his first season, with Callejon happy with his own maiden campaign in Italy.
“I’m happy because I have the confidence of the manager and players,” he added.
“I try to give everything and this is the path on which to continue. Benitez is important for this project and in the coming years – this is our first season with a new formation and a different technician.”
Juventus, who have won 26 of their 30 league games so far, will be without the suspended Carlos Tevez today as the 18-goal striker serves a one-match ban.
His absence could be a costly one, but Juve coach Antonio Conte remains at ease about who will replace him.
“Carlos isn’t available but someone will take his place,” he said.
“We are feeling relaxed, especially after a win over an excellent Parma side.”
Tevez scored both goals in Wednesday night’s 2-1 home win over Parma but, with Fabio Quagliarella, Dani Osvaldo and Sebastian Giovinco all fit and available, Conte will be hoping whoever he picks can fill in the void.
Milan beat Chievo 3-0
Two goals from Brazilian midfielder Kaka and another from Mario Balotelli propelled Milan to a 3-0 victory over Chievo at the San Siro last night.
Balotelli put the Rossoneri ahead after four minutes but it was Kaka, on his 300th appearance, who took centre stage with a well-taken double on 27 and 54 minutes.
Chievo could have scored a consolation goal in stoppage time when they were awarded a penalty but Cyril Thereau’s shot came off the bar.
The win lifted Milan to eighth place, level with Lazio on 42 points.
Results
Serie A
Bologna 0
Atalanta 2
De Luca 22; Estigarribia 26;
HT: 0-2. Att: 18,000.
Milan 3
Balotelli 4; Kaka 27, 54;
Chievo 0
HT: 2-0. Att: 41,000.
Missed penalty: Thereau (C) 90.
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Juventus | 30 | 26 | 3 | 1 | 67 | 20 | 81 |
| Roma | 29 | 20 | 7 | 2 | 56 | 15 | 67 |
| Napoli | 30 | 18 | 7 | 5 | 57 | 32 | 61 |
| Fiorentina | 30 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 49 | 33 | 51 |
| Inter | 30 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 47 | 31 | 48 |
| Parma | 29 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 47 | 34 | 47 |
| Atalanta | 31 | 14 | 4 | 13 | 37 | 39 | 46 |
| Lazio | 30 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 37 | 38 | 42 |
| Milan | 31 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 47 | 43 | 42 |
| Sampdoria | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 40 | 43 | 40 |
| Verona | 30 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 43 | 52 | 40 |
| Torino | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 43 | 39 | 39 |
| Genoa | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 34 | 36 | 39 |
| Udinese | 30 | 10 | 5 | 15 | 33 | 42 | 35 |
| Cagliari | 30 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 28 | 39 | 32 |
| Chievo | 31 | 7 | 6 | 18 | 26 | 46 | 27 |
| Bologna | 31 | 5 | 11 | 15 | 24 | 48 | 26 |
| Livorno | 30 | 6 | 6 | 18 | 32 | 56 | 24 |
| Sassuolo | 30 | 5 | 6 | 19 | 29 | 59 | 21 |
| Catania | 30 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 23 | 54 | 20 |
Playing today
Sassuolo vs Roma - 12.30
Lazio vs Parma
Napoli vs Juventus - 20.45
Sampdoria vs Fiorentina
Torino vs Cagliari
Verona vs Genoa
Tomorrow
Udinese vs Catania - 19.00
Livorno vs Inter - 21.00
Next fixtures
Saturday: 18.00 Chievo vs Verona; 20.45 Inter vs Bologna.
Sunday: 12.30 Lazio vs Sampdoria. 15.00 Atalanta vs Sassuolo; Cagliari vs Roma; Catania vs Torino; Fiorentina vs Udinese. 20.45 Parma vs Napoli.
Monday, April 7: 19.00 Juventus vs Livorno; 21.00 Genoa vs Milan.
Serie B
Avellino vs Cittadella - 1-0
Cesena vs Novara - 2-0
Empoli vs Juve Stabia - 2-1
Latina vs Carpi - 1-0
Modena vs Spezia - 0-0
Padova vs Lanciano - 5-1
Pescara vs Reggina - 2-2
Siena vs Brescia - 2-1
Trapani vs Bari - 3-4
Varese vs Palermo - 1-2
Playing today
Crotone vs Ternana - 12.30
Standings: Palermo 63; Empoli 53; Cesena 50; Siena, Trapani, Crotone 49; Avellino, Latina, Lanciano 48; Pescara 45; Spezia 44; Modena 42; Ternana, Bari, Brescia, Varese, Carpi 40; Novara 35; Padova 30; Cittadella 29; Reggina 27; Juve Stabia 16.