BankofAthletes - Investing in Talents

Naples' defender Paolo Cannavaro celebrates with teammate Matteo Contini during their Serie A football match at Turin's Olympic Stadium, 2009. Napoli went 14 games unbeaten under coach Walter Mazzarri following a 1-0 home victory against Sampdoria that boosted their growing challenge for a top four finish.

German Denis's second half goal earned the southerners three points that leaves them fourth in the Serie A table, just goal difference behind Juventus and a point above AS Roma.

They have not been beaten since October -- 13 league games and one cup match -- when former Samp boss Mazzarri took over from the sacked former Italy coach Roberto Donadoni.

It was just deserts from a game Napoli largely bossed against free-falling Samp, the early-season pace-setters now in the bottom half.

Cristian Maggio had the best chance of the opening period when played in one-on-one with Luca Castellazzi from Walter Gargano's through ball but the midfielder shot straight at the goalkeeper's body.

Denis, who had replaced the injured Ezequiel Lavezzi in the first half, had a goal harshly ruled out three minutes into the second period for a dubious-looking offside decision.

Maggio had two more opportunities but fired wide with the first and was denied by substitute goalkeeper Vincenzo Fiorillo with the second.

But 19 minutes from time Denis beat Fiorillo to a lofted cross from Hugo Campagnaro to head home the winner.

French goalkeeper Sebastien Frey made two crucial second half stops to help Fiorentina beat Bari 2-1 in Florence and go sixth.

Romania captain Adrian Mutu had cancelled out Paulo Barreto's opener in the first period.

Frey made great saves from Sergio Almiron and Sergio Alvarez before Riccardo Meggiorini beat the Frenchman but not the woodwork.

After Almiron was dismissed, substitute Jose Castillo grabbed the winner, his first goal for Fiorentina, before he too saw red.

Palermo are level on points with Fiorentina after Uruguayan forward Edison Cavani's penalty gave them a 1-0 win over coach-less Atalanta.

Sunday's main action was due to take place in the evening as third-placed Juve host second-placed AC Milan.

Both teams will be trying to reel in runaway leaders Inter Milan, whose stunning late come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Siena at the San Siro on Saturday gave them an 11-point lead in the scudetto race.

The champions have played two more games than Milan and one more than Juve, though.