Genoa defender Mimmo Criscito says European qualification is a target for them this season.

Genoa started the season poorly despite spending in excess of €30m and decided to sack Gian Piero Gasperini last month.

Since Davide Ballardini's arrival at Marassi as his replacement, Genoa have lost just once in six games, climbing to ninth in the table ahead of Saturday's clash with Napoli.

"Genoa can finish high up," Criscito said. "We have shown that we are a great team.

"Our objective remains that of qualifying for Europe and we believe in ourselves.

"There are many strong teams in our League but we have the strength to show that we deserve this position.

"Sunday's win against Lecce gives us great motivation because conceding a goal 10 seconds before the end of the first half could have cut our legs off.

"Instead we reacted. We looked each other in the face in the dressing room and said that the game was within our reach."