Napoli look to complete a near-perfect start (12W-2D-0L) to the 2022/23 campaign, while Udinese seek yet another positive result against one of Serie A’s top clubs.
SSC Napoli
Luciano Spalletti’s men will look to end 2022 with another victory at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, having already accumulated 38 points through 14 rounds.
Though the World Cup break will disrupt Napoli’s momentum, the Tuscan coach views the the break as an opportunity for his team to recharge their batteries after an extremely intense first phase of the season.
Despite Udinese’s recent form, Spalletti refuses to let his players take the match for granted. That mental strength, combined with a deeper bench, has been the key difference between this season’s Napoli and that of previous seasons.
Udinese Calcio
Udinese have been a streaky club through the first 14 rounds of Serie A. After opening the season with a loss to Milan and a draw to Salernitana, Le Zebrette won six consecutive matches. With impressive victories over Monza, Fiorentina, Roma, Sassuolo, Inter and Hellas Verona, Udinese found themselves sitting third in the table after Round 8, one point behind co-leaders Napoli and Atalanta.
However, Udinese have since lost some steam, with five draws and a loss in their last six. After important draws to Atalanta and Lazio, the Friulani lost to Torino and drew to Cremonese, Lecce and Spezia.
Udinese’s drop in form has coincided with a number of injuries to key players, particularly on the back line.
Injuries/Suspensions
Amir Rrahmani continues to recover from a thigh muscle injury that will keep the defender out until 2023. Meanwhile, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will not be in the squad due to lower back pain, as the Georgian failed to complete a group training session ahead of the match.
For Udinese, Adam Masina is out indefinitely after tearing his ACL playing against Fiorentina on Matchday 4. His replacement, Rodrigo Becao, suffered a thigh injury during Udinese’s Matchday 9 fixture against Lazio. Sottil hopes to have central defender Bram Nuytinck in the squad, but the Dutchman is questionable due to knee problems.
Meanwhile, Jean-Victor Makengo will not play until 2023 due to a lingering thigh injury. Finally, Destiny Udogie – one of Udinese’s most dangerous players – will miss the match due to a muscle injury.
Probable Formations
Manager’s Comments
Luciano Spalletti:
“I know Sottil well and I know what character he has, he already had it when I coached him. He was interested in everything that was said, he had the manager’s vision on some situations in the defensive phase. The fact that this is a difficult game, and not a trap game, it is precisely because it seems that Udinese is a second level team, when they are not. That won against Inter, Roma, Fiorentina, drew with Atalanta and Lazio, won in Monza and Verona. There are some who consider it an easy game. My players won’t think so.”
Andrea Sottil:
“I know Spalletti, he is a person of great charisma and tenacity, he knows how to pass the message of sacrifice to the team. Napoli has the same attitude towards everyone. [They are a] humble team but at the same time of great quality. It is no coincidence that they are first in the standings. This is a feature that I also like: you have to have your own identity. I always tell my boys to play to the fullest with all teams, match by match.”
Previous Meetings
| March 19, 2022 | SSC Napoli | 2-1 | Udinese Calcio |
| September 20, 2021 | Udinese Calcio | 0-4 | SSC Napoli |
| May 11, 2021 | SSC Napoli | 5-1 | Udinese Calcio |
| January 10, 2021 | Udinese Calcio | 1-2 | SSC Napoli |
| July 19, 2020 | SSC Napoli | 2-1 | Udinese Calcio |
Match Officials
Head Official: Giovanni Ayroldi
Assistants: Sergio Ranghetti and Stefano Del Giovane
Fourth Official: Niccolò Baroni
VAR: Rosario Abisso and Luigi Nasca
