Gonzalo Higuain can win Ballon d`Or, says Napoli coach

Gonzalo Higuain should build on his sterling Serie A season to push his way into Ballon d`Or contention, says his coach at Napoli Maurizio Sarri.

Napoli sit top of the league for the first time since 1990, when Diego Maradona led the `Partenopei` to their second and last league crown, after Higuain hit a brace in a thrilling 2-1 victory over 10-man Inter Milan last week.

The league leaders are expected to be welcomed by 16,000 travelling fans in Bologna on Sunday when they look to maintain a one-point lead over Inter, who host Genoa in Saturday`s late game.

The game will give Argentina international Higuain a platform to build on his impressive league-leading tally of 12 goals. 

And a week after saying Higuain was "among the top five strikers in the world", Sarri told media on Saturday: "For me he`s the strongest number nine in the world.

"He has the potential to win the Ballon d`Or. If he doesn`t win it in the future, he`s a complete idiot."

A win for Inter later Saturday will see Roberto Mancini`s men take back top spot ahead of Napoli`s trip north, but Sarri has warned it could be a banana skin. 

Bologna are undergoing a renaissance following the appointment of ex-Parma handler Roberto Donadoni and Sarri says he won`t be taking their hosts lightly. 

"It`s an insidious encounter, for various reasons, perhaps the hardest of the games we`ve played so far," he said. 

"Bologna play with a lot of enthusiasm and have top quality players. Plus we have spent a lot of energy up until now and the lads are starting to feel it."