A Napoli in full emergency is hunting for victory on the Genoa field, to try to exploit the direct clash between Juventus and Rome, and give continuity to the success with Parma. The Azzurri, without many big players and without rotations in many roles, will challenge a Genoa regenerated by Ballardini who made the rossoblù one of the most in shape teams in the entire championship. Four wins and two draws for Genoa in the 7 games with Ballardini, but above all 3 wins in the last 4 matches in which the rossoblùs have not scored. The last goal scored by Genoa dates back to January 6, against Sassuolo, and since then a clean sheet against Bologna, Atalanta, Cagliari and Crotone.
STATS – In the first leg, Napoli spread with a 6-0 which is Genoa’s largest defeat in Serie A even from 0-7 against Juventus in ’65. The Azzurri in Genoa will go in search of the victory that would be the fourth in a row away from home against Genoa: it has never happened in Italian history in Serie A. On the other hand, Genoa will try to win the third game in a row: they can’t. since 2018, Ballardini himself was on the bench. Since his arrival on the bench, Genoa are fifth for points average in Serie A and are the team with the fewest goals conceded (4 in 7 matches), the most clean sheets (4), the best percentage of shots on target (60%) and the second best achievement% (16%).
THE LATEST ON GENOA – Ballardini without the injured Biraschi, Zapata and Shomurodov should re-propose Radovanovic in defense with Masiello and Criscito; in midfield Zajc, Badelj and Strootman with Zappacosta on the right and Czyborra on the left. In attack Destro paired with Scamacca who should check the former Pandev.
THE LATEST ON NAPLES – Gattuso without Koulibaly and postive Ghoulam, in addition to Mertens and Fabian still out and Insigne ailing who will start from the bench. Petagna returns in attack, with Politano on the right and Lozano on the left, in midfield Bakayoko favored over Demme from the bottom with the returns of Elmas and Zielinski. In defense probably extraordinary for Manolas, paired with Maksimovic, with Di Lorenzo (or Hysaj) on the right and Mario Rui who returns to the left. Between the posts it could touch Meret, but the lack of Koulibaly could push Gattuso to confirm the more experienced Ospina.
GENOA (3-5-2): Perin; Masiello, Radovanovic, Criscito; Zappacosta, Zajc, Badelj, Strootman, Czyborra; Right, Scamacca. Herds Ballardini
Ballots: Scamacca-Pandev 55% -45%
NAPLES (4-3-3): Meret; By Lorenzo, Manolas, Maksimovic, Mario Rui; Elmas, Bakayoko, Zielinski; Politano, Petagna, Lozano. Herds Gattuso
Ballots: Di Lorenzo-Hysaj 55% -45%, Manolas-Rrahmani 55% -45%, Bakayoko-Demme 55% -45%
REFEREE: Manganiello (Costanzo-Prenna, IV: Piccinini, VAR: Di Bello, AVAR: Liberti)
Live TV on DAZN and live radio on Kiss Kiss Naples / Italy. Live text with extensive pre and post-game on Tuttonapoli.net
–
