Napoli are looking to get their season back on track when they host Monza in the Serie A. Just before Christmas, Roma defeated the struggling Scudetto champions after they were eliminated from the Coppa Italia. Currently, they are just four spots ahead of their opponents in the standings, barely short of Serie A’s halfway point.
Preview (Napoli vs. Monza)
Saturday’s second-half surrender at Stadio Olimpico saw Napoli drop to seventh place. They also took several hits that might hurt their future. Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini opened the score shortly after Matteo Politano was sent off. Victor Osimhen then followed Politano down the tunnel after collecting his second yellow card. Romelu Lukaku eventually made it 2-0 for the Giallorossi from the penalty spot. This weekend’s ban for two of Napoli’s first-choice forward three, coupled with an increasing number of injury absences, will only make things worse for manager Walter Mazzarri, who is already under criticism.
Despite the majority of the key players remaining in Naples, Mazzarri’s team is a shadow of the one that swept to the Scudetto under Luciano Spalletti last season. The latter are fourth with one game remaining in the first half of the season. Osimhen signed a new contract with the club last week despite some public disagreements with them. However, despite his participation, Napoli lost 4-0 to Frosinone in the Coppa Italia.
Although the Biancorossi have only won twice on the road, their home form has helped them stay out of danger. Before last week’s loss to Fiorentina, they had clean sheets in half of their home games. Just before Christmas, Palladino’s team lost to the Viola at San Siro, when they were defeated 3-0 by Milan. Last Friday, Lucas Beltran’s goal put an end to the match. This season, Monza has lost six league games, all against teams that placed in the top eight the previous year.
Team News
Due to injuries, Brazilian center-back Natan suffered a dislocated shoulder against Roma, while midfield maestro Stanislav Lobotka injured a rib. As a result, Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri will have to rearrange his pack on Friday night. In addition, two key attackers are suspended, Macedonian midfielder Eljif Elmas recently completed a deal with RB Leipzig, and Matthias Olivera is remains sidelined due to a knee injury. Due to Victor Osimhen’s one-match ban and Matteo Politano’s ineligible tackle on Nicola Zalewski of Roma, Giovanni Simeone and Giacomo Raspadori may start for the home team.
Pablo Mari received a second booking against Fiorentina, meaning that Monza’s defensive mainstay, Armando Izzo, will have to serve out his ban. This will allow Izzo to play in the visitors’ back three. Other than Gianluca Caprari, who is still recovering from an ACL injury, Andrea Carboni should be the only player missing for the Biancorossi. Because of this, Raffaele Palladino is probably not going to make many changes at the Maradona; but, Patrick Ciurria and Lorenzo Colombo are excellent prospects to move up from the bench.
Napoli 1-0 Monza
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