After days of discussions and deliberations, Napoli’s match against Salernitana was moved from Saturday at 18:00 local time to Sunday at 15:00 local time. All eyes will be on the Inter-Lazio match at 12:30 local time. If Lazio drop points to Inter, then the Partenopei would clinch the Scudetto with a victory over the Granata.
SSC Napoli
Napoli are coming off a huge win over bitter rivals Juventus. Giacomo Raspadori scored the stoppage time winner to secure the Azzurri’s second win in their last six matches in all competitions. April was a very difficult month for the Partenopei, who managed only a draw over three matches against AC Milan, and as a result, bowed out of the Champions League in the Quarter-finals.
With all three of Napoli’s strikers missing time in April, the Partenopei struggled to find the back of the goal, scoring only four goals over their last six matches. However, Napoli will be motivated by the prospect of delivering the city it’s first Scudetto in 33 years. The players were given a taste of what the celebrations would be like when thousands of fans turned up at Naples-Capodichino International Airport for the club’s early-morning return from Torino.
US Salernitana
Salernitana have had an excellent record since appointing Paulo Sousa as Davide Nicola’s replacement in mid-February. After losing his debut match to Lazio, Sousa’s team have gone unbeaten in their last eight matches. After an impressive 3-0 victory over Monza, Salernitana drew six consecutive games. Some of those draws were against difficult opponents in Milan, Bologna and Inter.
In their most recent fixture, Salernitana handled one of Serie A’s most in form teams with ease. The Granata put three past Sassuolo, who have the third best record, behind only Napoli and Lazio, in the second half of the season. Boulaye Dia scored his team-leading 11th goal of the season in the 3-0 victory. Goal-scoring has certainly not been an issue during Salernitana’s positive run of form, with the Granata scoring at least a goal in each of their last six matches.
As a result, Salernitana sit comfortably in 14th position in the table, 7 points clear of the relegation zone. However, that doesn’t mean the regional rivals will lay down for Napoli, quite the contrary. The visitors will do anything they can to avoid being the club who gave Napoli their third Scudetto.
Injuries/Suspensions
Luciano Spalletti will be without two players for this match. Mario Rui did therapy on Saturday as the left back continues to recover from a fractured right fibula. Meanwhile, Matteo Politano worked in the pool, did therapy and completed individual training as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. Giovanni Simeone will return to the squad after completing the full group training sessions all week.
Federico Fazio will miss his fourth consecutive match due to injury. Earlier this season, the central defender missed eight consecutive matches with a calf injury. Midfielder Domen Crnigoj will miss his sixth consecutive match with a calf injury as well. Meanwhile, striker Diego Valencia is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
However, Giulio Maggiore is back in the squad after missing three matches with a muscular injury. Lorenzo Pirola is also in the squad, despite exiting the Sassuolo match with an injury.
Probable Formations
Manager’s Comments
Luciano Spalletti:
“Paulo Sousa is a pleasant, cultured person, he knows many languages and has worked in many different countries. As a football culture and for what he is showing, it is clear he knows where he wants to take the team and what he wants them to do. Then I know Morgan De Sanctis, I had him as a goalkeeper, and I know his quality as a serious professional. Everyone talks about Iervolino as an emerging president, who has ideas, and we know it will be a very difficult game beyond the move. We have to be ready in front of strong and high obstacles., rocky mountains that, if you are unable to pierce, you have to go around to the other side anyway. We know it’s a derby, but there are other things at stake that would have made it the same as the game. Napoli and Salerno are cities that have sound morality.”
Paulo Sousa:
“I am a great admirer of Spalletti, of his extraordinary work. When we faced him there are many merits of the coach. Napoli deserved it with great quality: they have mobility, quality especially on the side lanes, the ability to interact with the movements of the midfield trio who move the ball with speed. There is one thing I envy him: his physical strength at 60 years old. I would also like to arrive with the desire for him, his physique.”
Previous Meetings
| January 21, 2023 | US Salernitana | 0-2 | SSC Napoli |
| January 23, 2022 | SSC Napoli | 4-1 | US Salernitana |
| October 31, 2021 | US Salernitana | 0-1 | SSC Napoli |
| August 16, 2009 (Coppa Italia) | SSC Napoli | 3-0 | US Salernitana |
| November 12, 2008 (Coppa Italia) | SSC Napoli | 3-1 | US Salernitana |
Match Officials
Head Official: Matteo Marcenaro
Assistants: Filippo Meli and Stefano Alassio
Fourth Official: Manuel Volpi
VAR: Antonio Di Martino and Francesco Fourneau
