Lecce 1 - 1 Napoli

Lecce v Napoli: Preview

Updated: May 9, 2009, 10:11 AM UK

Lecce coach Luigi De Canio called on his side to take confidence from their performance against Juventus as their Serie A survival fight reaches a critical point against Napoli tomorrow.

The Salentini are two points adrift of 17th-placed Torino with four games remaining, and still have difficult fixtures to come against Bologna, Fiorentina and Genoa.

De Canio's side have taken only four points in their last six games and the situation is becoming increasingly desperate - although they did keep their hopes of retaining their Serie A status alive with a 2-2 draw at Juventus last weekend.

De Canio was pleased with his team's performance and expects his side to show the same determination they displayed against Juve when they host Napoli.

"We needed to get a result against Juve and with a good performance we brought home a point,'' said De Canio.

"We could have even won against Juventus.

"We must gain strength from that performance and try to get a positive result against Napoli.''

Lecce have reason to be optimistic as Napoli last won on the road back on October 26, a 1-0 victory at Lazio.

Since then, Napoli have mustered just two points in their last 13 away games.

The Partenopei travel to the Stadio Via Del Mare on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Siena.

Having beaten Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the previous round, Napoli coach Roberto Donadoni could not have anticipated his team would slip in Tuscany.

"My players were arrogant in Siena,'' said Donadoni. "I expected confirmation from them following the win against Inter but they let me down.

"Enough with the horrible performances, now we must find a way to end the season in a dignified way.''

The Partenopei have collected just one win in their last 16 games and find themselves in a disappointing 12th position heading into the last four games of the season.

To make matters worse, striker Marcelo Zalayeta failed to show up twice to training this week after falling out with Donadoni.

The former Italy coach was unimpressed.

"Zalayeta has disappointed me,'' said Donadoni. "As long as I am the coach of this team, he will not play a minute.''

Zalayeta did return to training on Thursday and apologised for his no-show.

"I ask the fans, the club and my team-mates to forgive me,'' he said.

"I have made a mistake.

"During the game at Siena, Donadoni asked me why had I played so well against Inter and yet I was playing so poorly against Siena.

"I got angry and I misinterpreted Donadoni's comments.

"He was only trying to encourage me.

"Later I realised that what he had told me were only positive things.

"I had a chat with Donadoni and I admit I made a mistake

"I'm ready to pay the punishment the club wishes to give me.''

The visitors will be without forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, who is sidelined for three weeks with a thigh injury.

Donadoni is set to play with Brazilian forward Pia alongside German Denis in attack, with Zalayeta relegated to the bench.