Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Monzavs.Napoli

sportsmole.co.uk, 5 April 2024, 07:53
Reigning champions Napoli continue their quest to salvage something from a disastrous defence of their Serie A title, as they visit mid-table Monza on Sunday.

With a win, the hosts would join their illustrious visitors on 45 points in the standings, also improving hopes of a top-half finish.

Match preview

Back in Naples on a short-term contract, before he steers Slovakia through Euro 2024 this summer, Napoli's interim manager Francesco Calzona had steadied the ship ahead of the recent international break, but events last week further damaged the champions' chances of securing a spot in UEFA competition.

Having suffered just one loss from seven since Calzona took the reins, the Partenopei crumbled to a 3-0 defeat against fellow European contenders Atalanta BC, ending a six-match unbeaten streak and dropping them down to eighth place.

Under three different head coaches, they have struggled to match expectations in Naples this term, and another defeat at Stadio Maradona leaves them on a meagre 45 points after 30 league games - the last time they had as few points on the board at this stage of a season was back in 2010.

Without the pressure of pleasing their home fans, Napoli have fared better on the road, and they will be aiming to extend a three-match unbeaten run away from home this weekend.

Trailing sixth-placed Atalanta by five points, Calzona's side cannot afford too many more slip-ups in the weeks ahead, and having already exited both the Coppa Italia and Champions League, their sole focus is on Serie A.

In three previous top-flight meetings with Monza both sides have recorded one win, while December's reverse fixture ended goalless at the Maradona, meaning Napoli should take nothing for granted on Sunday.

After failing to beat Napoli in their first six home matches across Serie B and the Coppa Italia, Monza finally recorded their first success over the Campanian club in May of last year, having already secured their top-flight status.

This season, the Biancorossi have followed up their Serie A debut with another impressive campaign, and they occupy 11th place in the standings with only eight games left to play.

Like Sunday's visitors, Monza also lost last weekend, going down 1-0 to Torino as captain Matteo Pessina was sent off midway through the second half.

Nonetheless, Raffaele Palladino's men have won four of their last six matches - as many as throughout the previous 16 - and they are now seeking a first top-half finish.

In the course of climbing towards Italy's top 10, Monza have also won three of their last five home fixtures, and after a recent 1-0 defeat of Cagliari they will try to post back-to-back home wins in Serie A for the first time since November 2022.

Monza Serie A form:

W

W

L

W

W

L

Napoli Serie A form:

D

W

W

D

D

L

Napoli form (all competitions):

W

W

D

L

D

L

Team News

As Napoli forwards Cyril Ngonge and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia returned to full training this week, both should be available on Sunday - though it remains to be seen if the latter will reclaim his starting place.

Alongside Victor Osimhen - who is aiming to avoid a first four-game goal drought in Serie A since 2022 - Kvaratskhelia has led the way in the champions' scoring charts this season, netting 10 times so far; however, he has been struggling with a groin injury sustained on Georgia duty.

Francesco Calzona therefore appears to have a full squad to choose from, so some changes could be made following last week's defeat: Jens Cajuste and Piotr Zielinski will both be hoping for selection in midfield.

Meanwhile, Monza must do without Matteo Pessina this weekend, due to his dismissal against Torino, and in addition to their captain's suspension, the hosts are missing several injured players.

Gianluca Caprari (ACL) and Samuele Vignato (adductor) are both unavailable, while Naples-born Danilo D'Ambrosio is a major doubt.

Among goalkeepers to have started at least 20 matches, Michele Di Gregorio ranks second for save percentage in Serie A this season (80%); incidentally, Napoli's Alex Meret (65%) sits fifth from bottom in that regard.

Monza possible starting lineup:

Di Gregorio; Birindelli, Mari, Izzo, A. Carboni; Bondo, Gagliardini; Colpani, V. Carboni, Maldini; Djuric

Napoli possible starting lineup:

Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Raspadori

We say: Monza 1-1 Napoli

Previews by email

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica and Estrela Amadora return to action on Saturday when they go head to head at the Estadio da Luz in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to move back into the top six of the League One table, Huddersfield Town will welcome Charlton Athletic to the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT's Ally McCoist has opened up about living with Dupuytren's contracture, an incurable hereditary condition that affects the hands. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Luton Town will welcome Hull City to Kenilworth Road on Saturday for a crucial game at the bottom end of the Championship table. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Martin Odegaard is everything for Arsenal - he's at the heartbeat of everything positive they do. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to go top of the Championship table with a fifth straight victory, Sheffield United will travel to take on Coventry City on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk RB Leipzig will aim to prevent the five-point gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich from extending by claiming all three points at Hoffenheim's PreZero Arena on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Champions League hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt will hope to maintain their five-point advantage over Werder Bremen after hosting them on Saturday at Deutsche Bank Park in their 11th Bundesliga outing of the season. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Newcastle defender Lewis Hall says his lack of game time in the first-team left him 'in a dark place' last season. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams who could really do with a victory kick off round 13 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season as Go Ahead Eagles welcome Almere City to De Adelaarshorst on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Promotion-chasing Barnsley are favourites heading into Saturday's gameweek 17 League One match at Oakwell. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Feyenoord and Heerenveen will both be looking to pick up where they left off right before the international break in Saturday's meeting at De Kuip in matchday 13 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City officially announce that manager Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Girona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in La Liga for the first time this season when they welcome Espanyol to Estadi Montilivi on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An in-form Las Palmas will be aiming to make it five wins from their last six matches in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Mallorca on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following four straight defeats leading into the international break, Aston Villa will return to action on Saturday, when Crystal Palace pay a visit to Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly set a £100m asking price for Enzo Fernandez amid interest from Real Madrid. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Saudi Pro League action will return to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium this weekend when Al Khaleej play host to the defending champions Al-Hilal on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid will be aiming to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign against Alaves at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Robert Lewandowski is a mesmerising goal scorer, but it turns out that's not his only talent. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace may be without two of their key creators when they kick off on Saturday afternoon, as an ailing Premier League campaign resumes away to Aston Villa. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, with Los Blancos considering making an attempt to bring the Brazilian back to Bernabeu in January. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola deciding to extend his stay at Manchester City could be good news for them in more than one sense. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo admitted there will be one key challenge to his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, becoming a professional footballer. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Caoimhin Kelleher has the opportunity to become Chelsea's starting goalkeeper - he's too good to be Liverpool's back-up. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without up to seven players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marco Silva will be working with almost a fully-fit squad when his Fulham side play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Al Ettifaq chiefs admitted they were left in shock when Jordan Henderson told them he wanted to leave just months into joining the Saudi Pro League club. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon