Napoli defender Olivera determined for strong finish
Napoli defender Mathias Olivera has urged his team-mates to "change their mindset immediately" ahead of their Serie A fixture against Cremonese on Saturday.
Antonio Conte's side has fallen out of the title race and back into the battle for the Champions League places after failing to win back-to-back games.
After a run of five consecutive wins, Napoli drew 1-1 with Parma before a 2-0 defeat to Lazio last time out.
That loss to Lazio ended a 26-game unbeaten run at home in Serie A for Napoli. Under the guidance of the same manager, the Partenopei have not lost consecutive league matches at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona since December 2021.
Napoli could move 11 points clear of fifth-placed Como with a win against Cremonese, and Olivera is eager to finish the season on the front foot.
"We need to change our mindset immediately," he said. "Cremonese is on Friday and we want to stay up in the standings to qualify for the Champions League.
"Before the match against Parma, we were confident we'd play well and take home the three points. Unfortunately, their first-minute goal changed the game.
"I think we played well, but unfortunately we weren't able to score the second goal. Against Lazio, however, we know we played poorly.
"We won't give up and we want to fight until the end, we'll try to get as high as possible and sweat for this shirt."
Cremonese has won just one Serie A game since the turn of the year as it sits above the relegation zone only on goal difference.
It drew 0-0 with Torino last time out, though it is set for a tough test in Naples against the reigning champion.
