A summer of joy and preparation, of transfers, of anger, and of blue flags still hanging from many balconies in Naples. Tomorrow the new season begins at Maradona, with the Azzurri taking to the field with the Scudetto for the first time in their home stadium, in the evening match against Sassuolo.
A strong emotion for the many who have decided to be there tomorrow, from the 24.000 who have 'stormed' the company website to buy a season ticket (last year there were 10.000) to the many with tickets eager to continue the party. Napoli is there and wants to be there, to overcome the week of silence and disappointment of the team after the clash with Saudi Arabia that saw the 21-year-old Gabri Veiga, the latest target of the market, turn his back at the last moment and go to Al Ahli to earn 12 million a year, compared to the two of the blue contract.
With five days to go until the end of the market, a door remains open for the arrival of a midfielder, but in the meantime Garcia is now looking for the best from his team, which no longer has Kim, who left for 80 million, and has Natan and Cajuste who arrived for 22 million between them. The show is expected from the great double talent left up front, with Kvaratskhelia ready to make his seasonal debut together with Osimhen, the two stars with contract renewals still pending but ready to give their all on the pitch.
After the success in Frosinone, Garcia focused on the goal of an optimal debut at the Maradona, choosing not to hold the pre-match press conference in order to avoid questions about the transfer market disturbing his concentration on the pitch. After Osimhen's brace in Frosinone, the Georgian winger also wants to play by providing assists and scoring again, to help the fans rediscover the championship duo with the Nigerian.
Tomorrow before the match Osimhen will receive the “Paolo Rossi Award” from the Italian Footballers Association for being the top scorer in last season. Garcia decided today to prepare for the match with an evening training session behind closed doors at the Maradona, to give the team back their home turf after three months.
The coach is working to best introduce the two new players, with Cajuste starting on the bench this time, leaving room for Anguissa, while Natan is learning as quickly as possible from Juan Jesus, who should start tomorrow alongside Rrahmani in the centre of defence. Meanwhile, after Veiga's about-face, Garcia is also working on Raspadori, who could take on a role further back in midfield and not just as an attacking midfielder, to represent a new asset in the Azzurri's starting eleven.
Many new ideas but also the need for continuity in the game and in the results: spectacle and victory are the ingredients that Maradona wants, starting tomorrow.
EDITORIAL TEAM
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