This Thursday, Napoli and Fiorentina will face off in a semi-final matchup of the Supercoppa Italiana at Riyadh’s Al-Awwal Stadium.
This would be the first time that 4 groups take part within the event, and it will likely be a conflict between two Serie A rivals.
Match Preview
Inter Milan has been profitable within the earlier two editions of the Supercoppa and is presently aiming for a hat-trick. In the meantime, Napoli has solely gained the trophy twice of their historical past, with the final victory relationship again to 10 years in the past.
Napoli has earned their place on this 12 months’s expanded format by ending a three-decade-long Scudetto drought final season, however they’ve struggled to defend their title this season. They’re now trailing far behind Serie A’s prime two groups, Inter Milan and Juventus.
Napoli has had a tricky season, they usually have already misplaced 4 occasions in six league video games. They suffered a 3-0 defeat to mid-table Torino and barely gained their match towards Salernitana when Amir Rrahmani scored a stoppage-time strike.
Napoli sits eighth within the Serie A standings, two factors behind Lazio and Atalanta BC, and 5 factors shy of fourth-placed Fiorentina.
Nevertheless, they nonetheless have an opportunity to salvage their season by qualifying for the Champions League, and they’re additionally concerned within the knockout part of this season’s competitors.
Profitable the Supercoppa would enhance morale on the Campanian membership forward of their huge league conflict with Lazio. Nevertheless, first, they need to eradicate a Fiorentina aspect that beat them 3-1 in October.
Fiorentina has had a combined season however has been on an upward trajectory just lately. They occupy a top-four spot in Serie A, and they’re nonetheless on track for extra European soccer subsequent season.
They’ve additionally booked a spot within the Europa Convention League’s latter levels and a Coppa Italia semi-final towards Atalanta.
Regardless of taking just one level from their first two top-flight fixtures of 2024, Vincenzo Italiano’s aspect has remained strong and is decided to win.
Fiorentina’s latest cup win over Bologna was sandwiched by a disappointing defeat in Sassuolo and final weekend’s eventful 2-2 dwelling draw with Udinese, which noticed them escape with a degree on account of M’Bala Nzola staying cool from the penalty spot late on.
Staff Information
Napoli will journey to Saudi Arabia with out star striker Victor Osimhen and midfield common Frank Anguissa, who’re away on the Africa Cup of Nations.
They’re additionally lacking their first-choice goalkeeper, Alex Meret, on account of a hamstring damage. Pierluigi Gollini will deputize because the Partenopei’s final line of protection.
Piotr Zielinski may return to Walter Mazzarri’s squad after sitting out Saturday’s win over Salernitana. Fellow midfielders Jens Cajuste and Diego Demme must also overcome knocks.
Fiorentina can embody latest signing Marco Faraoni, who arrange Lucas Beltran’s purpose on his debut.
One other right-sided participant, Dodo, has resumed coaching following a long-term absence with an ACL damage, however younger Michael Kayode continues to be set to begin.
Gaetano Castrovilli and Nico Gonzalez stay unavailable, whereas Christian Kouame is representing hosts Ivory Coast on the AFCON.
Upfront, Vincenzo Italiano will select between Beltran and M’Bala Nzola, after each strikers scored on Sunday. The previous is the favourite to begin, having netted half of the Viola’s final eight league targets.
Potential Lineups
Napoli attainable beginning lineup: (4-3-3)
Gollini;
Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Rui;
Cajuste, Lobotka, Zielinski;
Politano, Raspadori, Kvaratskhelia.
Fiorentina attainable beginning lineup: (4-2-3-1)
Terracciano;
Kayode, Milenkovic, Martinez Quarta, Biraghi;
Duncan, Arthur;
Sottil, Bonaventura, Ikone;
Beltran.
Prediction: Napoli 1-2 Fiorentina (after additional time)
Each groups have had combined seasons, and it could take greater than 90 minutes to separate the 2 well-matched sides. Though Fiorentina doesn’t are likely to journey too properly, their latest pedigree in knockout competitors is notable, whereas Napoli is lacking key gamers and clearly missing the cohesion they’d final 12 months.