In their final Serie A matchup prior to next week’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Napoli will face an out-of-sorts Udinese team. The team led by Luciano Spalletti has virtually been unbeatable this year and is still unbeaten in Serie A. Napoli’s lone defeat this season in all competitions came at the hands of Liverpool earlier this month at Anfield.
The Partenopei bounced back with back-to-back victories over Atalanta and Empoli, so the Reds’ defeat by them had little effect on their domestic record. With 24 games remaining, they still lead second-place Lazio and the defending champions AC Milan by eight points as a result. However, after a strong start to the season, Udinese are currently in a sort of rut. They have dropped to eighth place in the rankings after five games with a record of four draws and one loss. Although they are still in striking distance of a European spot, performance must improve quickly.
Napoli’s chance of winning their first Scudetto since the 1980s is excellent, so they cannot afford to lose the initiative. At the end of the campaign, every point will be significant, so it is now up to Spalletti and company to avoid making a mistake. The Hard Tackle examines the potential lineups and strategies for each side for the game. The team led by Luciano Spalletti has been unrelenting this year and is a strong contender for the championship. The Partenopei control their own fate with 14 games remaining and a comfortable eight-point advantage at the top.
The Italian coach was able to bring back his first-choice starting lineup after rotating his team against Empoli during the previous week. Another victory before the break should keep the momentum flowing and prevent any uncertainties from entering the picture. Amir Rrahmani and Salvatore Sirigu are both out, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia won’t be making a comeback either. This latter player has been among Napoli’s best this year and will be missed.
Napoli will probably use a 4-3-3 formation that is freely flexible and will allow them to change tactics as necessary. In front of a back four consisting of Mathias Olivera, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leo Ostigard, and Kim Min-jae, Alex Meret ought to get the start in goal.
Piotr Zielinski and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa ought to be in the starting lineup on either side of Stanislav Lobotka in the centre of the field. Victor Osimhen, Giacomo Raspadori, and Hirving Lozano should be in the front of the queue. Anguissa recently extended his agreement with the crew, and he is eager to get going.
The team led by Andrea Sottil at Udinese has faltered recently after failing to continue their strong start to the season. The Udinese manager will want to end the regular season on a winning note. Defeating Napoli will undoubtedly revive his team’s waning self-confidence.
He will have to do without Rodrigo Becao, Destiny Udogie, Adam Masina, and Jean-Victor Makengo, though. Bram Nuytinck’s absence during the course of the week presented a challenge for Udinese. If he is found to be healthy, the 32-year-old will begin in the back three.
Le Zebrette will probably start the game
in a 3-5-2 shape with the intention of crowding the midfield and preventing the Napoli front three from receiving any supplies.
The Sandi Lovric, Walace, and Tolgay Arslan trio will be tasked with playing a narrow line and keeping things tight for their Napoli counterparts. By doing this, Roberto Pereyra and Enzo Ebosse will be free to advance on the wings.
Up front, Gerard Deulofeu is a lock to start, and Isaac Success is most likely to partner him. Beto, the game’s leading scorer, is probably going to come off the bench and might take Success’ place in the second half.