On the pitch at 6pm Sassuolo-Napoli, recovery of the 21st day of the Serie A championship. LIVE
Injuries and questions in Napoli after the draw in Cagliari and in view of the match in Sassuolo, the recovery of the championship which offers the chance of a restart before Juve's arrival at Maradona.
Weeks, months pass but the champion team is unable to find its game again, the unity of the team, finding itself with first passes as happened a year ago: upon the arrival of the third coach the gaps have not healed and now in the city, among the fans experiencing disappointment, there is a growing belief that the blame does not come from Spalletti's farewell but is a clear responsibility of the Azzurri players, mentally lost after the enthusiasm of last season.
In yesterday's away game in Cagliari we once again saw a game without speed, without cohesion on the pitch.
After finding the opening goal with Osimhen, Napoli were unable to double their lead due to the egocentrism of Politano and Simeone's shots and conceded the equalizer due to Juan Jesus' error.
A difficult season especially from a psychological point of view, as confirmed yesterday by Raspadori, the striker who invented the opening goal, serving the assist to Osimhen on the silver platter: "I think our head - he said - must think thinking that we can always do better. We have difficulties and we are not doing what we should. This is not our best, we can and must give more without getting caught up in negative thoughts. Anyone is lucky enough to be part of this club is aware that high-level, choral football must be expressed."
The awareness of absolutely having to change gear is there, and it is the lever on which Calzona is relying to finally see a different Napoli, already in Wednesday's away game against Sassuolo.
Victory for the Azzurri would be a must to continue to hope for a European placement and to unblock a very unexciting streak of three draws and a knockout between the championship and the Champions League, with the last victory dating back to 4 February against Verona.
Osimhen is better after the fatigue at the end of the match in Sardinia and is ready to return to the field, while Calzona tries to use the days to make the team assimilate his schemes and the stimuli necessary to regain their shine and mobility.
Everyone available, except Cyril Ngonge who trained separately today too.
The squad was and remains of a very high standard, contrary to their performances this season.
The objective is to break the deadlock against Sassuolo to transform the nightmare into a real chase for Europe.
Probable lineups
Sassuolo (4-2-3-1) 47 Tips;
3 Pedersen, 13 Ferrari, 19 Kumbulla, 43 Doig;
35 Lipani, 7 Henrique;
23 Volpato, 42 Thoverstd, 45 Laurientè;
9 Pinamonti (28 Cragno, 25 Pegolo, 22 Toljan, 2 Missori, 6 Racic, 8 Mulattieri, 20 Castillejo, 11 Bajrami, 14 Obiang, 92 Defrel, 15 Ceide, 10 Berardi).
All: Bigica Suspended: Boloca Warned out: Pedersen, Erlic, Thorvestd, Doig.
Unavailable: Viti, Erlic, Tressoldi.
Napoli (4-3-3): 1 Meret, 22 Di Lorenzo, 33 Rrahmani, 3 Natan, 6 Mario Rui;
99 Anguissa, 68 Lobotka, 20 Zielinski;
21 Politano, 9 Osimhen, 77 Kvaratskhelia.
(95 Gollini, 14 Contini, 30 Mazzocchi, 17 Olivera, 55 Ostigard, 5 Juan Jesus, 32 Dendoncker, 8 Traoré, 29 Lindstrom, 81 Raspadori, 18 Simeone).
Coach Calzona Suspended: none Booked without a booking: Mazzocchi, Rrahmani, Ngonge Unavailable: Ngonge, Cajuste
Referee: Chiffi from Padua
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