Inter Milan – Naples is the big poster for this 16th day of Serie A. After the World Cup and the holidays, the Italian championship is finally making its return this Wednesday.
If, for many, the Scudetto has lost its past value, it remains no less iconic.
Largely dominated by Juventus in the 2010s, with nine consecutive coronations between 2012 and 2020, the Italian championship is gradually opening up.
No more Catenaccio, no more one-team dictatorship.
In 2021, Inter finished champion ahead of their eternal rival Milan.
The following year, reverse scenario.
And what will it be in 2023?
This time, it is Naples which appears as the favorite, 33 years after its last coronation.
To discover
Serie A standings
Serie A fixtures and results
A reconstruction for a new beginning
It was difficult, at the start of the season, to predict this crazy pace led by the Partenopei.
During the summer transfer window, several executives of the workforce flew away.
To protect Napoli's goals, we can mention David Ospina - the titular goalkeeper - who signed for Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo's now new club, or the solid Kalidou Koulibaly, who left to strengthen the Chelsea defense.
In midfield, Fabian Ruiz joined PSG.
Finally in attack, Naples lost its formidable attacking duo, Insigne and Mertens, the latter being even the top scorer in the history of the club with 148 achievements.
Read alsoSerie A: Koulibaly responds to the president of Naples who no longer wants to recruit African players
However, the leaders of Napoli reacted very well, opting for targeted, discreet and intelligent recruitment.
Meret, the former substitute goalkeeper, was promoted as a starter.
Known from league 1 pitches, Zambo-Anguissa, who has been very impressive since the start of the season, signed definitively with the club after a conclusive loan last year.
Less known to the general public, Naples has recruited the South Korean defender Kim Min-jae, imperial in defense, as well as the talented Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a real nugget of the club, already author of 8 goals and 8 assists in 17 games this season.
Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the fire attacking duo of Naples.
CIRO DE LUCA / PANORAMIC
Finally the year of the title?
This season, Naples is 37 goals scored (best attack) for 12 goals conceded (third best defense) in 15 games.
A solidity in both surfaces which allows them to have 41 points out of a possible 45, having obtained important successes against direct competitors such as AC Milan (1-2), Rome (0-1), Lazio (1- 2) or even Atalanta (1-2).
A proof that Naples travels well.
A performance also to the credit of the coach, Luciano Spaletti.
Last year already, the Italian technician had initiated an enticing game, with an efficiency there also already striking in the two surfaces.
Results that also extend to the European scene.
Napoli effectively finished top of their Champions League group, ahead of Liverpool, Ajax and Rangers.
Naples won 1-6 against Ajax on October 4.
Image / Panoramic
Beautiful play, efficiency, a good atmosphere, all the ingredients are there.
“
It is important that we work at a high level, Napoli fans always expect a lot from us.
I thank them because they still have so much love for us.
Without the value of each one of us, we would go nowhere.
Naples and Georgia?
Both put the family first, it is also for this reason that I feel at home here
”, declared Khvicha Kvaratskhelia relayed by Calciomio.
However, Napoli will have to continue to maintain their high pace to hope to lift the Scudetto.
The first stage starts this Wednesday, during the trip to the lawn of Inter Milan (8:45 p.m.).
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