Genoa manager Gian Piero Gasperini has admitted that his side will be in for a tough match when they face Napoli on Monday evening.

The Rossoblu had enjoyed a promising start to the season, but a run of five games without a win has seen them drop to seventh in the Serie A table.

"We must make the most of the characteristics of the players at our disposal," Gasperini told reporters.

"It is a difficult trip, as Napoli are straight behind Juventus and Roma in terms of quality, but we will play our game aware of our strengths.

"It would be madness to say we are fighting for the leadership, but it would be equally wrong to imply Genoa have no targets, dreams and hopes. In football the most arrogant team doesn't always win, so it's not as if declaring some huge objective means you're going to get there."

A stoppage-time winner from Jonathan de Guzman condemned Genoa to a 2-1 defeat against Napoli on the first day of the season.