The next edition of the Derby del Sole promises to be another tightly contested fixture. Napoli will look to maintain their 12-point gap at the top of the table, while Roma hope to extend their unbeaten streak in 2023.
SSC Napoli
For the third time this season, Napoli responded well after a defeat. After losing to Liverpool in their final game of the UEFA Champions League Group Stage, the Partenopei beat Atalanta 1-2 in Bergamo. After losing to Inter – the club’s only league defeat this season – Napoli beat Sampdoria 0-2. Finally, after losing to Cremonese in the Coppa Italia, Napoli beat Salernitana 0-2.
With Milan, Inter and Juventus all dropping points in the final round of the Girone di Andata, and with Juventus being issued a 15 point deduction, Napoli have opened up a 12 point gap over their nearest rival. Also, with Juventus conceding eight goals in their last two matches, Napoli now have both the best attack and the best defense in the league. Luciano Spalletti’s job for the second half of the season will be to keep his team focused, one match at a time, and not let the players be distracted by transfer rumours or results in other matches.
AS Roma
Roma are unbeaten in their last six league matches (3 wins and 3 draws) and their last seven in all competitions (4 wins and 3 draws). It’s no coincidence that this run of form has coincided with Paolo Dybala’s return from injury: he assisted the winning goal against Bologna; he scored the only goal in the Coppa Italia win over Genoa; he scored the only two goals in Roma’s 2-0 win over Fiorentina; and he assisted both goals in Roma’s 2-0 win over Spezia. With Dybala back in the lineup, Tammy Abraham has finally broken out of his slump: he scored the 93rd minute equalizer against Milan; he assisted both of the goals against Fiorentina; and he scored the second against Spezia.
Roma have also benefitted from the northern clubs dropping point and find themselves firmly entrenched in a five-team battle for the remaining three Champions League positions. Lazio, Inter and Roma are all on 37 points, one point behind Milan.
Injuries/Suspensions
For Napoli, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia returned to training after recovering from the flu and is expected to return to the starting XI.
Genie Wijnaldum could return to the squad after missing the last six months with a fractured tibia. Meanwhile Zeki Celik is suspended for yellow card accumulation. Rick Karsdorp awaits a transfer, having not suited up since being singled out by Jose Mourinho in December. Though not injured, Nicolò Zaniolo and Eldor Shomurodov are not likely to feature amidst speculation of potential transfers.
Probable Formations
Manager’s Comments
Luciano Spalletti:
“I expect a Roma side that has great players in he squad and a very practical and concrete coach, who has done to well to make his players understand what he expects of them in the match. You should never think about having a game in hand. They have players like Dybala who know how to take advantage of their teammates ability to run and who know how to attack the spaces well. You always have to find a way to play the game and be in order….Roma are a very well trained and physically strong team. Their coach is pragmatic and experienced. He also wins matches by making the most of set pieces. We know their characteristics, we have to be good at putting our qualities into the game.”
Jose Mourinho:
“I hope not to be misinterpreted but congratulations to Napoli on the Scudetto. They’ve won it. It’s theirs” (translation credit: Patrick Kendrick)
Previous Meetings
| October 23, 2022 | AS Roma | 0-1 | SSC Napoli |
| April 18, 2022 | SSC Napoli | 1-1 | AS Roma |
| October 24, 2021 | AS Roma | 0-0 | SSC Napoli |
| March 21, 2021 | AS Roma | 0-2 | SSC Napoli |
| November 29, 2020 | SSC Napoli | 4-0 | AS Roma |
Match Officials
Head Official: Daniele Orsato
Assistants: Alberto Tegoni and Giovanni Baccini
Fourth Official: Antonio Rapuano
VAR: Aleandro Di Paolo and Lorenzo Maggioni
