Napoli face a big test this Sunday as Antonio Conte seeks to manoeuvre through the challenge posed by top-four hopefuls Fiorentina.
The winter signing of Philip Billing was the catalyst for the crucial top-of-the-table clash with Inter Milan last weekend, as the midfielder popped up with a late equaliser. The goal came in a period when it appeared like Napoli were heading toward an untimely defeat; instead, Antonio Conte found a way through and secured a vital point that kept them only a point behind the Nerazzurri at the summit, with Fiorentina their next challenge.
The draw stretched Napoli’s winless run to five Serie A games. This includes a surprise defeat to Como, which put a massive dent in their title challenge. However, this current matchday seems like a tricky operation for Napoli, given that they are facing tougher opposition in Fiorentina and rivals Inter Milan take on bottom-placed Monza.
The five-game unbeaten run is also a first for a Conte-coached team, and he will want to end it on Sunday with a win over Fiorentina. A win would keep Napoli in the thick of the title race, as a loss or more dropped points, coupled with Inter’s expected win over Monza, would dent their title hopes in a big way.
Raffaele Palladino will also have a point to prove in Sunday’s big clash with title challengers Napoli. His Fiorentina side were in the mix earlier in the season when they were flying in Serie A, but for now, they may have to settle to fight for a place in the top four. The Viola might still be seven points off fourth-placed Juventus, but there is every chance to cover the distance towards a UEFA Champions League place.
Fiorentina did suffer a shock loss to Panathinaikos in midweek in their UEFA Europa Conference League clash, although the tie is still very much in the balance. Back in Serie A, Palladino wanted his side to show consistency, which would put the team back on track in their chase for a Champions League place, although they would have the second leg in Europe on their minds next week.
Team News & Tactics
Napoli
Antonio Conte is still regretting his decision to use Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa against Como, which saw the midfielder miss out against Inter Milan. As a consequence, he will sit out the game against Fiorentina.
Pasquale Mazzocchi is also out of the equation for Napoli, which could see Conte deploy a 3-5-2 formation again for this clash against Fiorentina. He will use Leonardo Spinazzola and Matteo Politano in those wing-back roles. Mathias Olivera is also fit to start, although Conte will likely keep him on the bench for this one.
Alternatively, Conte could deploy a 4-3-3 if he selects Philip Billing in the starting lineup in place of Anguissa. In this case, Stanislav Lobotka and Scott McTominay are expected to start alongside the former Bournemouth star in midfield.
Such a formation could see Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno hold stations in central defence, while Giacomo Raspadori and Matto Politano will support Romelu Lukaku in the front three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Meret; Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Spinazzola; Billing, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Lukaku, Rasadori
Fiorentina
Raffaele Palladino will likely make plenty of changes from the side that lost to Panathinaikos in midweek. Pietro Terracciano, Matias Moreno, Nicolo Fagioli, and Amir Richardson were all among the starters in midfield, and the manager is expected to make some notable changes.
David de Gea will likely return between the sticks. Moise Kean’s fitness will be a boost as Palladino deploys his main attacker at the tip of the frontline to produce the goods.
Nicolo Zaniolo and Rolando Mandragora are suspended, and Marin Pongracic, Andrea Colpani, and on-loan Napoli midfielder Michael Folorunsho’s fitness for this clash is strongly doubtful. This leaves the Fiorentina manager with limited options ahead of this clash.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): de Gea; Comuzzo, Mari, Ranieri; Dodo, Adli, Cataldi, Ndour, Gosens; Beltran, Kean
Key Stats
- Napoli are winless in their last five Serie A games.
- Napoli are undefeated in 11 of their last 12 matches in Serie A.
- Fiorentina have lost four of their last five matches across all competitions.
- Fiorentina have won only one of their last eight games on the road across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku could create a personal record should he find the net against Fiorentina, as it would be his 12th league season in which the Napoli striker has reached double figures. The first time he did that came for West Bromwich Albion in the 2012/13 campaign, and only Robert Lewandowski has managed more in that aspect.
Meanwhile, Lukaku must look beyond personal glory. Napoli need to win games after going without one in five Serie A games. They are in a title race, and while they are a single point behind leaders, Inter Milan should look at players like the Belgian striker to provide the goods.
Prediction
Napoli 2-1 Fiorentina
Both sides are not in the best form, but Fiorentina will be reeling from their midweek UEFA Europa Conference League loss, which might affect their performance on Sunday. The Viola are also not in the best run, losing four of their five games across all competitions, which could give Napoli an edge.
Conversely, Antonio Conte will be desperate to make a statement win in the title race, as Napoli cannot afford to lose further ground to Inter Milan. The second-half performance against Inter Milan did show some encouragement, and should they continue at the same level against Fiorentina, Napoli will be expected to take three points on Sunday.
