In this article, Sports Buddy looks at Napoli vs Roma match preview, team news, possible lineup, and prediction.
Napoli vs Roma: Match preview
As the clock ticks down on a challenging European football season, Napoli prepares to host their southern rivals, Roma, at the iconic Stadio Maradona on Sunday evening.
The Derby del Sole carries significant weight for Napoli, who have recently faced setbacks against underdog teams like Empoli and witnessed Inter Milan snatch the Italian championship title away from them.
In contrast, Roma find themselves on the brink of securing a coveted spot in the Champions League. Napoli’s recent performances have been lackluster, with a disappointing 1-0 loss to Empoli following a frustrating 2-2 draw with Frosinone just days prior. Interim coach Francesco Calzona, who took over after the departure of Luciano Spalletti, has struggled to find consistency, winning only three out of his first nine league games in charge.
The team’s once-potent attack has faltered, and Napoli’s defense has been leaky, conceding goals in their last 12 consecutive Serie A matches. This defensive frailty marks a stark contrast to their past glory, with only two longer streaks without a clean sheet in the club’s history, the most recent being in 1998.
With the weight of defending their title lifted following Inter’s triumph in the Milan derby, Napoli may approach the remaining fixtures with newfound freedom. However, they face a tough challenge against Roma, with upcoming matches against Bologna and Fiorentina also on the horizon.
Despite Napoli’s recent struggles, they have historically performed well against Roma at home, remaining unbeaten in their last five meetings at the Maradona. Nevertheless, a humbling 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture in December, where Napoli ended the game with nine men, serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of football.
Napoli vs Roma: Team news
