Napolivs.Modena

After making a dismal defence of their Scudetto last season, the Partenopei turned to Calcio's most notorious taskmaster, and the ex-Chelsea boss now takes charge of his first competitive match.

Match preview

Following the high of ending a three-decade drought and being crowned Italian champions in 2023, Napoli were brought back down to earth last term, with title-winning coach Luciano Spalletti proving impossible to replace.

Rudi Garcia, Walter Mazzarri and Francesco Calzona - the latter loaned from Slovakia's national team - all failed to get the Partenopei back on track, as star players such as Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struggled to replicate their magical form of one year earlier.

New coach Antonio Conte took some reassuring that his familiar demands of investment would be met, but after giving the green light to outspoken owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, the ex-Inter Milan manager set about rebuilding for the upcoming campaign.

Napoli had posted four pre-season wins without conceding a single goal before losing 2-0 to Girona last week, and ahead of an opening-day trip to Hellas Verona in Serie A, they will play host in the Coppa Italia.

As a result of finishing 10th, some 41 points adrift of Scudetto-winners Inter, they must now enter the cup in its first round, with two hurdles to clear before Italy's top eight enter in the last 16.

One of the worst moments of last season's woes was a 4-0 Coppa Italia exit at home to Frosinone, so the six-time winners will be keen to avoid a similar slip-up on Saturday.

By contrast with their illustrious hosts, modest Modena have never lifted the Coppa, having spent most of their existence in Italy's lower leagues.

It was only in 2022 that the Emilian outfit finally returned to Serie B following bankruptcy five years earlier, and they finished 10th last term - closer to the relegation zone than the playoffs.

A failure to score enough goals kept them out of promotion contention, so experienced French forward Gregoire Defrel was recruited from Sassuolo earlier this summer.

Head coach Pierpaolo Bisoli has tuned his side up for next week's league opener against Sudtirol with two friendly wins and a draw against Cagliari, but first the Canarini must fly south to Naples.

Napoli pre-season form:

Modena pre-season form:

Team News

While Piotr Zielinski has completed his long-awaited switch to Inter, both Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen remain with Napoli for now - but the latter is not taking part in full training and will play no part this weekend.

New buy Alessandro Buongiorno is sure to start in defence, as Antonio Conte embeds his favoured three-man back line, but it remains to be seen whether Giacomo Raspadori, Giovanni Simeone or even the returning Walid Cheddira will feature up front.

Wing-back Pasquale Mazzocchi hopes to overcome an ankle injury to play a part on Saturday night, when Leonardo Spinazzola should make his competitive debut for the home side.

Meanwhile, Modena's main summer signing Gregoire Defrel is set to feature in the final third at Stadio Maradona, alongside Ettore Gliozzi, who scored in last week's friendly draw with Cagliari.

Former AC Milan man Mattia Caldara has also joined the Canarini this summer, and he should start in central defence.

Napoli possible starting lineup:

Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Mazzocchi, Lobotka, Anguissa, Spinazzola; Politano, Kvaratshelia; Raspadori

Modena possible starting lineup:

Gagno; Zaro, Caldara, Cotali; Santoro, Palumbo, Gerli, Magnino, Ponsi; Defrel, Gliozzi

We say: Napoli 2-0 Modena

New-look Napoli have proved tough to score against in pre-season - perhaps no surprise given the identity of their new manager - and they should see off Modena's challenge this weekend.

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