Eleven lions. This will be the cry of the fans that will accompany Napoli's entry onto the field on Sunday in light of the result achieved yesterday evening in Florence after the recovery of the 14th day of the championship.
A pleasant awakening, therefore, this morning for the Azzurri fans, who in addition to their coffee were able to savour the taste of being at the top, with the awareness of being first in the standings alone.
It is true that this is a minimal distance from the second, but it is enough to trigger the enthusiasm needed to support and push the team in this second part of the championship. A result, yesterday's, also useful to reunite the environment, after the controversy over the unmet expectations on the new purchases.
None of the expected signings to replace Kvaratskhelia on the left flank have landed in Castel Volturno and the only name announced, that of Okafor on loan from Milan, has made many turn up their noses.
The Swiss striker is more than an unknown quantity, but it is not excluded that in the long run he could have his say by contributing to the cause of the offensive department.
What is needed, at the moment, is to leave behind the distractions of the transfer market and focus on the remaining fourteen games, starting with the next one that sees Conte's boys engaged against Udinese, an opponent currently tenth in the standings but who should not be underestimated at all: Lucca and Thauvin, the attacking pair that will be deployed by mister Runjanic, have so far scored a total of 14 goals and therefore must be kept under close surveillance by the central duo, Rahmani and, perhaps, Juan Jesus. Buongiorno, who seems to have definitively recovered, could in fact take the field in his place from the 1st minute.
On the left once again there will be space for Spinazzola in place of the injured Olivera (for him a possible return at the end of the month) while on the right there will be the captain Di Lorenzo. Midfield entrusted as usual to Zambo Anguissa and Lobotka, with Neres, McTominay and Politano supporting Lukaku in attack.
In view of the big match scheduled for March 2nd against Inter, Napoli awaits the Friulians and the Neapolitans are nursing “…monstrously forbidden” dreams.
Valerio Alfano
Article published on 7 February 2025 - 17:46
