High-ranking challenge at the San Paolo. Napoli today receives De Zerbi’s Sassuolo which is now confirming itself as a reality of Italian football, with a continuity of play as well as results of great importance, and also for this Gattuso probably managed his forces in Thursday’s challenge with the Real Sociedad. The seven changes made to the Anoeta will allow him to manage the most risky match from a physical point of view, that is the one immediately following the Europa League challenge when there is very little time to recover, especially when you find yourself having to travel and return on Friday . In comparison the best attacks of the league (even if De Zerbi’s one for three quarters remained at home), but Napoli can also count – unlike the neroverdi – on a defense that so far has collected only two goals (both of which are irrelevant for the purposes of the result). Despite the absences of Caputo, Djuricic and Berardi, Napoli will have to face the team number one in Italy and in Europe for average shots on goal, even ahead of Bayern Munich, Liverpool and PSG with 19, the media conclusions.
STATS – Sassuolo have scored four goals in their last two away games: the record of 3 belongs to Juventus (1950), Milan (1992) and Rome (2017), the only ones to score 4+ goals for three away games in a row in the history of the Serie A single round. Napoli will have to pay attention to the match finals: De Zerbi’s team has scored the highest number of goals in the last 30 minutes of play in this Serie A: 12, at least double than any other formation (according to Napoli with six ). Heavy absence of Caputo, the Sassuolo striker is the only one who has found the goal in each of his last four appearances in the top flight.
THE LATEST ON NAPLES – Gattuso will relaunch the holders saved on Thursday: Di Lorenzo and Manolas return in defense, in line with Koulibaly and Hysaj while Ospina could be confirmed for the game with his feet on the high pressure of the neroverdi; in midfield the presence of Fabian with Bakayoko or the returning Zielinski is sure while in attack choices made with Politano, Mertens and Lozano behind Osimhen.
THE LATEST ON SASSUOLO – De Zerbi has to do without three-quarters of his super attack: out Djuricic, Caputo and Berardi and then Boga is back in the starting position but with Traorè and Maxime Lopez behind Raspadori (favorite over the recovered Defrel). In midfield Locatelli and Obiang (in ballot with Bourabia) while in defense Ferrari and the former Chiriches in the center with Muldur on the right and Kyriakopulos on the left.
NAPLES (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Manolas, Koulibaly, Hysaj; Bakayoko, Fabian; Politano, Mertens, Lozano; Osimhen. Herds Gattuso
Ballots: Ospina-Meret 55% -45%, Bakayoko-Zielinski 55% -45%
SASSUOLO (4-2-3-1): Tips; Muldur, Chiriches, Ferrari, Kyriakopoulos; Locatelli, Obiang; Traorè, Maxime Lopez, Boga; Scrapers. All. De Zerbi
Ballots: Kyriakopulos-Rogerio 55% -45%, Obiang-Bourabia 55% -45%
REFEREE: Mariani di Aprilia (Di Iorio-Scatragli, IV: Pezzuto, VAR: Fourneau, AVAR: De Meo)
Live TV on Sky Sport and live radio on Kiss Kiss Napoli. Live text with extensive pre and post-game on Tuttonapoli.net
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