Napoli will be keen to keep their unbeaten run going when they take on Palermo in the Coppa Italia second round on Wednesday.
Napoli are currently riding high in Serie A, sitting comfortably in second place after five rounds, and they now turn their attention to the Coppa Italia. Aiming for their seventh cup triumph, the Partenopei host Serie B side Palermo in the second round at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Fresh off a goalless draw against Juventus, Napoli are looking to bounce back and continue their strong form under Antonio Conte.
After a shaky start to the season, which included a 3-0 loss to Hellas Verona in their league opener and a nervy penalty shootout victory over Modena in the Coppa Italia first round, Napoli have found their groove. The Partenopei have taken ten points from their last four league matches, scoring an average of three goals per game during their winning run before being held by Juventus.
With Romelu Lukaku leading the line in place of the exiled Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia adding his flair on the wings, Napoli’s attack looks formidable. Conte’s side will be keen to advance in the cup while also maintaining their strong league form, as they aim to challenge for a top-five finish and potentially more this season.
For Palermo, this match represents a significant opportunity to test themselves against one of Italy’s top sides. Now under the ownership of the City Football Group, the Sicilian club has set its sights on promotion to Serie A after narrowly missing out in the playoffs last season. Managed by Alessio Dionisi, who led Empoli to the top flight in 2021, Palermo have shown resilience this season, putting together a four-game unbeaten run in Serie B.
While they face a daunting task against Napoli, the Rosanero will hope to pull off an upset and earn a clash with Lazio in the next round. Despite their 124-year history, Palermo have never won the Coppa Italia, and a victory in Naples would be a historic moment for the club. The Hard Tackle explores the possible lineups and strategies for this much-awaited match.
Team News & Tactics
SSC Napoli
Antonio Conte is likely to rotate his squad for the midweek Coppa Italia clash against Palermo, especially with a crucial league fixture against Monza looming on Sunday. After featuring a consistent lineup in recent matches, Conte will give some of his regular starters a rest.
Scott McTominay, who made his first start for Napoli against Juventus, could be replaced by fellow Scottish international Billy Gilmour in midfield, although they could pair up as well. The manager will also have to manage without goalkeeper Alex Meret, who sustained a minor thigh injury in the draw against Juventus. This means Elia Caprile is set to start in goal.
Conte does not have many other injury concerns apart from Alex Meret, who is unavailable on the night, allowing him the flexibility to experiment with his formation and personnel. He may deploy a 3-4-2-1 system, with a strong defensive unit and plenty of attacking options.
Conte may opt to retain his 3-4-2-1 formation, a setup that has served Napoli well in previous games. Elia Caprile is set to take up the role in goal, replacing the injured Alex Meret. The back three could consist of Juan Jesus, Rafa Marin, and Alessandro Buongiorno, providing a solid defensive foundation.
In midfield, Pasquale Mazzocchi and Leonardo Spinazzola are expected to occupy the wing-back roles, offering width and defensive support, while Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay could partner in the centre, combining defensive stability with creative play.
Further up the field, David Neres and Giacomo Raspadori are likely to operate in advanced midfield roles, supporting the lone striker and adding attacking flair. Up front, Giovanni Simeone is expected to lead the line, aiming to capitalise on any scoring opportunities against Palermo’s defence. With a mix of experience and youthful energy, Napoli will be looking to progress comfortably to the next round of the Coppa Italia.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Caprile; Jesus, Marin, Buongiorno; Mazzocchi, Gilmour, McTominay, Spinazzola; Neres, Raspadori; Simeone
Palermo FC
Palermo manager Alessio Dionisi has received a boost ahead of their Coppa Italia clash against Napoli, as veteran defender Fabio Lucioni has returned to full training following a lengthy recovery from a hip injury. Despite this positive news, the Sicilian side will likely be without French midfielder Claudio Gomes, who remains a major doubt for the game. This absence could force Dionisi to reshuffle his midfield setup, with Gomes’s presence sorely missed in both defence and attack.
In attack, Thomas Henry seems to have cemented his position as the first-choice striker after featuring in the starting lineup once again in last week’s draw against Cesena. However, there could be a tactical tweak for the cup match, with club captain Matteo Brunori potentially returning to the starting eleven. Brunori, Palermo’s top scorer for the past three seasons, has recently found himself in the role of an impact substitute, but Dionisi might now be tempted to use his scoring prowess from the outset in this crucial cup tie.
Dionisi is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming for a balanced approach that can contain Napoli’s attacking threats while offering enough firepower to compete. Salvatore Sirigu is set to start in goal, providing experience and leadership at the back. The defensive line is likely to feature Salim Diakite and Ionut Nedelcearu as the central defenders, flanked by Dimitrios Nikolaou and Niccolp Pierozzi at full-back positions.
In the double pivot, Jacopo Segre and Dario Saric are expected to anchor the midfield, tasked with breaking up Napoli’s play and launching counter-attacks. Ahead of them, Roberto Insigne, Alexis Blin, and Jeremy Le Douaron are likely to form the attacking midfield trio, supporting the lone striker. Up front, Matteo Brunori, who has been Palermo’s most reliable goalscorer in recent seasons, will be given the responsibility to lead the line and challenge the Napoli defence.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sirigu; Diakite, Nedelcearu, Nikolaou, Pierozzi; Segre, Saric; Insigne, Blin, Le Douaron; Brunori
Key Stats
- Palermo have never beaten Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in any competition.
- Palermo have struggled in the Coppa Italia in recent years, having failed to progress past the second round in five of their last seven campaigns. They have also been eliminated by Serie A opposition in their last four cup ties against top-flight teams.
- Palermo have won just one of their last 10 away games in all competitions, drawing 4 and losing 5. They have also conceded an average of 1.8 goals per game during this period, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities on the road.
- Napoli have been formidable at home in recent cup competitions, winning 9 of their last 11 Coppa Italia matches at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. They have kept six clean sheets in those fixtures.
Player to Watch
Giacomo Raspadori
Giacomo Raspadori has been in fine form for Napoli this season and is certainly the player to watch in this Coppa Italia clash against Palermo. The versatile forward has already contributed significantly to Napoli’s attacking output, showcasing his ability to operate effectively both as a central striker and in deeper, creative roles.
Raspadori’s quick feet, intelligent movement, and sharp finishing make him a constant threat to the opposition backline. His knack for finding space and creating scoring opportunities not only for himself but also for his teammates has been a key factor in Napoli’s recent resurgence under Antonio Conte.
Against Palermo, Raspadori will be looking to exploit any defensive lapses and could play a pivotal role in breaking down a potentially stubborn Palermo defence. With several changes expected, Raspadori’s creativity and goalscoring prowess will be crucial to ensure the hosts progress comfortably in the competition. His performance could very well be the difference-maker in this fixture.
Prediction
SSC Napoli 3-1 Palermo FC
Napoli’s attacking prowess and home advantage make them heavy favourites in this cup tie. Palermo are likely to put up a fight, but the gap in quality between the two squads should see the hosts progress comfortably to the next round. Expect Romelu Lukaku and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to be key players for Napoli, should they be needed off the bench.
