Matri eyeing record

Matri eyeing record

Record-chasing Alessandro Matri and Cagliari go in search of their fifth consecutive Serie A victory at the Sant Elia on Saturday.

Matri will equal the record set by Italy great Gigi Riva at Cagliari 38 years ago if he scores this weekend.

The Italian forward has found the back of the net in his team's last six league games and another goal will see him join Riva in the club's history books.

"My record of seven consecutive league goals was set a long time ago," said Riva, now Italy's team manager.

"In any case, records are there to be broken and if Matri is able to break mine, I will be very happy for him.

"He is a good striker, who is proving a key player for Cagliari."

Matri, meanwhile, remains focused on helping his side return to winning ways after last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Palermo dropped the Sardinian outfit to 10th in the standings.

"I would have been happier if my goal at Palermo would have given us three points," admitted the 25-year-old.

"The important thing is to do well for the team and to follow the coach's orders.

"I know that I have to keep working hard and improve.

"I try to make the most of my chances and remain calm and focused."

Last weekend's result was not the only setback for Cagliari coach Massimiliano Allegri with goalkeeper Cristiano Lupatelli sustaining a groin injury during the match in Sicily.

Lupatelli will be out until the new year and Federico Marchetti will take his place in goal.

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri will also be forced to make some changes to his starting XI with respect to last weekend's 3-2 win over Bari.

Mazzarri could have done without defender Hugo Campagnaro sustaining a thigh injury in training this week with defenders Matteo Contini and Leandro Rinaudo serving a one-match ban on Saturday.

The only consolation for Mazzarri is that Salvatore Aronica returns from suspension.

The Azzurri will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to nine games but are well aware they will be put to the test by a Cagliari side that is one point and one place behind them in the standings.

"It's going to be a difficult game against a team that play very well at home," said Napoli midfielder Christian Maggio.

"But we are doing very well and if we continue like this we will achieve something important this season.

"We just have to take it one game at a time."

Napoli have not won on the road since beating Juventus 3-2 in Turin in October.

The hosts will have to keep a close eye on Napoli striker Fabio Quagliarella.

The Italy international struck twice in his team's 3-2 triumph over Bari in the last round to increase his goal tally to five.

"Quagliarella scored two important goals for us against Bari," said Maggio. "We hope he can continue his good form in Cagliari."

Quagliarella will play alongside Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik in Napoli's attack.