Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti recognises the importance of tonight's clash with Inter Milan.

Victory will drag Serie A leaders Inter back to the chasing pack.

Spalletti said, "It's good to point out that our aim was to get behind some of the strongest players in the league to be in the top four and enter the next Champions League. We know that by winning this game we would be catapulted towards another objective.

“It's cool, it's made us spend a week with a smile on our face and that smile has been maintained through the night while we slept, without realising it. We love being in this position because we do this job."

“When we had difficulties we were able and focused to keep our backs straight on what must be our job, our behaviour. Then manage to bring home as many points as possible. But it always depends on what you do day after day.

“Every time there is something up for grabs so that you are ready at the end of the week to play the games. We have a squad that even if it changes by a few elements, the players know how to do it themselves.

“Even during the Juventus week when they said they wanted to postpone that game, they showed me they had the desire to take the field. They played it and gave a great performance and brought home the result. There are great people behind these players, a fantastic group who have shown over the years that they care about the shirt. They got less than they deserved."