Football

Serie A: Napoli begins a new era without legends. Can it compete with the league’s top teams again?

Napoli had great performances last season. They were in the title race for a long time, but in the end they lost it themselves and finished third. Over the summer, however, they underwent a makeover. Legends left the club. The Serie A season will tell how they were replaced.

Published

2 years ago

14. 8. 2022

Pavel Langr

The management team

Before last season, Napoli made an interesting move. The team was taken over by the experienced Luciano Spalletti, who has managed AS Roma and Inter Milan in the past. In the latter, he did not do well, but his team played attractive football in the Italian capital.

He worked in Rome twice. During his first engagement, he won three trophies, and during the second one, he was the only one to compete with Juventus and just missed out on the title.

Spalletti has a clear signature. He relies on offensive football with a 4-2-3-1 formation, which he also practices in Naples. Last season was above expectations for the team from under Vesuvius. He will definitely want to build on it.

Goalkeeper

Alex Meret was the number one goalkeeper last season, however, there is currently talk that Napoli could acquire Kepa from Chelsea. This would, of course, put Meret’s position in jeopardy. However, this is just speculation and that is why Meret will start the season as number one.

Moreover, he will have a quality number two. This will be the seasoned veteran Salvatore Sirigu, who will not disappoint.

Defense

Naples will have a big news in defence. The team will not be led by Kalidou Koulibaly, who left for Chelsea. Nevertheless, the stopper duo should not be a weakness. Amir Rrahmani has more or less secured his place and new signing Min-jae Kim will most likely play next to him.

Juan Jesus and Brighton loanee Leo Östigard will be ready to deputise in the centre of defence.

The right side of the defence will traditionally be manned by new captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who will be supported by the talented Alessandro Zanoli. On the left, Mário Rui and Mathías Olivera, who joined from Getafe, will fight for a place.

Backup

Napoli have a quality midfield. Barring any unwelcome transfers, Fabián Ruiz will once again feature. André Zambo Anguissa will play defensive duties. Slovakian Stanislav Lobotka will fight for a place in the lineup.

The composition of the offensive line will be more of a mystery. Piotr Zielinski will once again shine in the middle. The right side will be mostly covered by Hirving Lozano, who will have a battle with Matteo Politano.

The left side, which belonged to Lorenzo Insigne, will most likely be occupied by Eljif Almas. However, new signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will also want to prove himself.

Attack

In attack, Napoli will have to do without their all-time top scorer Dries Mertens for the first time in many years. Victor Osimhen was already settling in at the top last season, but an injury sidelined him for an extended period of time. However, he should be even more important in the new season.

However, Napoli do not have a replacement for him. Petagna is on his way out. However, there is talk of Giovanni Simeone, who has been doing well at Verona, coming in.