Both Lazio and Napoli will be looking to get back into the win column after disappointing draws against Sampdoria and Lecce, respectively.
SS Lazio
Lazio have had a dramatic start to the 2022/23 campaign. Though undefeated, they will feel they could have a better record heading into Round 5. Luis Maximiano was sent off only six minutes into his Lazio debut, but after an Adama Soumaoro red card, the biancocelesti came from behind to win 2-1.
Lazio were the better side in their second round fixture against Torino, but couldn’t find the back of the goal in the scoreless draw. Lazio bounced back with and impressive 3-1 victory over Inter at the Stadio Olimpico. However, Lazio stumbled in their most recent match against Sampdoria. Lazio controlled the match for the first 80 minutes, but took their collective foot off the pedal with only a one-goal lead. Sampdoria seized the opportunity, scoring a stoppage time equalizer in the 1-1 draw.
SSC Napoli
Napoli come into this match with the same record as Lazio (2 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses), however under different circumstances. The partenopei opened the season with consecutive victories over Hellas Verona and Monza, scoring nine goals and conceding only two.
However, Napoli has since dropped points in consecutive draws to Fiorentina and Lecce, scoring a total of one goal over those two matches. After an intense scoreless draw against Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, Luciano Spalletti rotated his squad heavily against Lecce with a busy period ahead. Despite controlling the run of play for the majority of the match, that gamble did not pay off as Napoli dropped points in the 1-1 draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Injuries/Suspensions
For Lazio, Elseid Hysaj was ruled out of the Sampdoria match amidst speculation of a possible sale. However, Hysaj was not sold before the end of the summer transfer window and could be in the squad. Felipe Anderson was removed from the Sampdoria match after suffering a contusion to the right heel. However, despite receiving stitches, Anderson is expected to feature for Lazio.
For Napoli, Diego Demme continues to recover from a foot injury sustained in training.
Probable Formations
Manager’s Comments
Maurizio Sarri:
“My Napoli was extremely competitive with 11, 12 or 13 players, but we did not have the depth they have at the moment. Saturday will be a difficult game, Napoli are strong and combines many qualities, in certain moments they can dribble and then go deep. It is a complete team and will be competitive for any goal this season.”
Luciano Spalletti:
“I’ve always spoken highly of Sarri. The quality of his football is very recognizable. It starts with a 4-3-3, but the the systems deform according to what happens on the pitch. They press continuously. They could enhance our qualities by leaving space behind, but when they press the right way they become dangerous.”
Previous Meetings
| February 22, 2022 | SS Lazio | 1-2 | SSC Napoli |
| November 28, 2021 | SSC Napoli | 4-0 | SS Lazio |
| April 22, 2021 | SSC Napoli | 5-2 | SS Lazio |
| December 20, 2020 | SS Lazio | 2-0 | SSC Napoli |
| August 1, 2020 | SSC Napoli | 3-1 | SS Lazio |
Match Officials
Head Official: Simone Sozza
Assistants: Domenico Rocca and Antonio Vono
Fourth Official: Marco Serra
VAR: Michael Fabbri and Sergio Ranghetti
