NAPOLI MOVE TO SECOND PLACE

Napoli are up to the second place in the Italian league after a win over Genoa. With Lavezzi out with an ankle injury and Serie A’s player strike called off on Thursday, Slovakia playmaker Hamsik met a Walter Gargano free-kick on 26 minutes in a match that, while initially controlled by Napoli, finished with the hosts - who missed half a dozen good chances to draw level - dominating play.

Napoli went down to 10 men after Michele Pazienza saw red for a late second booking, but they mounted a rearguard action to seal their second 1-0 win in a week.

Napoli have been linked with a move for Patrick Vieira.