Napoli will host Genoa with the teams separated by three places in the Serie A. With their most recent setback, the Partenopei are now well outside of Italy’s top four, while their visitors’ remarkable unbeaten run came to an abrupt end last week.
Preview (Napoli vs. Genoa)
A week after eking out a victory over Hellas Verona with a last-minute miracle from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Napoli lost for the eighth time in their miserable Scudetto defense. They fell farther behind in the European qualifying race. The champions’ three-match winning streak in Serie A came to an end with a 1-0 loss to AC Milan. It dropped them to ninth in the standings and highlighted their goal-scoring problems once more. Napoli has not scored a goal in five away games since November. It is a run that is the worst for the team in several decades under Mazzarri’s leadership.
Next week, Barcelona and Real Madrid will meet at Stadio Maradona in the Champions League quarterfinals. Before that, however, the Partenopei will welcome a Genoa team that has seemingly effortlessly returned to the top division. Napoli has won less than half of its home games in 2023–24, even though the sides have not lost any of their previous three league meetings—including a 2-2 tie earlier this season. The strain to repeat last season’s incredible performances is proving to be a significant burden.
The Grifone, who are ranked 12th in the standings, have a reputation for challenging the best teams in Calcio. Their formidable striking duo of Retegui and Albert Gudmundsson is a constant threat to defenders around the Italian peninsula. The Serie B runners-up from the previous season did, however, lose 4-1 at home to Atalanta BC last week, ending an eight-game winning streak that included draws with Juventus and Inter Milan. Genoa has amassed a respectable 12 points from the 36 available away from home thus far.
Team News
Victor Osimhen, the leading scorer for Napoli, may not play on Saturday afternoon due to his delayed return from the Africa Cup of Nations when Nigeria finished just short of the championship. Giovanni Simeone will probably start up front instead. Due to suspension, the hosts will welcome back first-choice goalkeeper Alex Meret to the bench after an injury layoff; as a result, fellow Brazilian Juan Jesus should start in the starting lineup. Walter Mazzarri may drop January acquisition Pasquale Mazzocchi to a bench role now that Mario Rui has returned from a one-match suspension.
Albert Gudmundsson, Genoa’s primary marksman, will be available despite Osimhen’s uncertain status. The Iceland international is just one goal away from scoring double figures in back-to-back league campaigns. Due to Koni De Winter’s expected return to the back three following his suspension for the Grifone’s 4-1 loss to Atalanta, Alessandro Vogliacco’s spot may be in jeopardy. Although Ridgeciano Haps is still out due to a knee sprain, head coach Alberto Gilardino has nearly his entire team at his disposal.
Napoli 1-1 Genoa
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