Napoli made an early exit through the Champions League this week but will work their utmost to return to competition next season. This is the mindset of Napoli coach Rafa Benitez in advance of Sunday's match against his former club Inter Milan.
Napoli beat Arsenal 2-0 on Wednesday but finished third in Group F due to a substandard head-to-head record with Borussia Dortmund plus the London outfit. Benitez's team had won four with their six group games, something few other side in Champions League history had done and gone out.
Benitez, who endured a difficult six-month spell at Inter before leaving the club in December 2010, has enjoyed a good beginning one's at Napoli. Last weekend's 3-3 draw at Udinese kept Napoli to 3rd place and holding onto the past Champions League qualifying spot.
Rivals Inter, who will be not competing in Europe in 2010, are one place and four points behind Napoli. The Nerazzurri travel to Naples seeking their first league win since beating Livorno on November 9. Draws against Bologna, Sampdoria and Parma have followed since.
Inter coach Walter Mazzarri is predicted to have a warm welcome when he returns towards the San Paolo stadium initially since leaving Napoli come early july. Mazzarri spent four seasons at Napoli and led the club to win the Coppa Italia in 2012 and handle runners-up in Serie A in 2013.
Victory on Sunday has to be big rise in confidence for Inter because of next weekend's city derby against AC Milan.
