Year: 2023

In the first episode of the week, Vincenzo Bertillo and Stephen Kasiewicz join Joe Fischetti to discuss the departures of Cristiano Giuntoli and Kim Min-jae, including:Part 1:  Giuntoli’s departure - Was it wise to let him go to a direct rival? Rating Giuntoli’s time at Napoli; and potential replacement sporting directors (~4:09)Part 2:  Kim’s departure - Is this the new norm? How does Kim using Napoli as a stepping stone change opinions of him, if at all? Impact to Napoli’s chances of repeating as Italian champions; and possible replacements (~19:52)

After an 18-year relationship, Acqua Lete will no longer be the main shirt sponsor of SSC Napoli, as confirmed by the club on Thursday. The Azzurri have planned an event on an MSC cruise ship on the 10th of July, which has led to speculation that the long-time second shirt sponsor we be announced as the new main shirt sponsor. https://twitter.com/sscnapoli/status/1676955166157971459?s=20

Lega Serie A has released the full match calendar for the upcoming 2023/24 campaign. In addition to the Champions League Group Stage, Napoli will commence the Coppa Italia in the Round of 16 on one of the following date: December 6 or 20, 2023, January 10 or 17, 2024). RoundDateHomeAway1August 18-21, 2023FrosinoneNapoli2August 25-28, 2023NapoliSassuolo3September 1-4, 2023NapoliLazio4September 15-18, 2023GenoaNapoliUCL MD1September 19-20, 2023TBDTBD5September 22-25, 2023BolognaNapoli6September 26-28, 2023 (midweek)NapoliUdinese7September 29-October 2, 2023LecceNapoliUCL MD2October 3-4, 2023TBDTBD8October 6-9, 2023NapoliFiorentina9October 20-23, 2023Hellas VeronaNapoliUCL MD3October 24-25, 2023TBDTBD10October 27-30, 2023NapoliMilan11November 3-6, 2023SalernitanaNapoliUCL MD4November 7-8, 2023TBDTBD12November 9-12, 2023NapoliEmpoli13November 24-27, 2023AtalantaNapoliUCL MD5November 28-29, 2023TBDTBD14December 1-4, 2023NapoliInter15December 8-11, 2023JuventusNapoliUCL MD6December 12-13,…

Two players have already bid farewell to Napoli. Tanguy Ndombele and Bartosz Bereszyński returned to Tottenham and Sampdoria, respectively, as their loan spells ended on the 30th of June. Meanwhile, with only a year left on their respective contracts, Diego Demme, Hirving Lozano and Piotr Zielinski have all been subjects of transfer speculation. According to Italian media, Demme would like to join Hertha Berlin, despite the German club’s recent relegation to 2. Bundesliga. The move could involve a swap for defensive midfielder Lucas Tousart, who played under Rudi Garcia at Lyon. However, Sassuolo's Maxime Lopez appears to be the favourite…

After the release of the complete schedule for Napoli’s retreat at Dimaro, the opponents for the first two friendly matches have now been confirmed.On the 20th of July, Napoli will host Eccelenza club Anaune Val di Non in a rematch from last summer’s retreat. The 10-0 victory featured the debut of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. In 45 minutes of action, the Georgian scored two goals, added an assist and struck the upright, foreshadowing a remarkable season that followed.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-rHbhfRS2I&t=213sOn the 24th of July, Napoli will host S.P.A.L.  Joe Tacopina’s club, who were recently relegated to Serie C, will be on retreat at nearby…

After Napoli’s Scudetto-clinching draw against Udinese, Cristiano Giuntoli thanked the club and assured Napoli fans, many of whom gathered at the Maradona for the occasion, that President Aurelio De Laurentiis would ensure the club continues to succeed. It was clear that the Napoli Sporting Director’s eight-year tenure at the club had come to an end. However, with a year remaining on Giuntoli’s contract and growing speculation that he would become the new Juventus diesse, De Laurentiis refused to let him off easy. The Napoli President waited until the final day of the 2022/23 campaign to officially terminate Giuntoli's contract, as…

In the first episode of the week, Joe Fischetti provides some insights on Napoli’s new coach, Rudi Garcia, including:Part 1:  Stati LOSC on Garcia’s time at Lille, and a defense of Garcia in response to criticisms from Napoli fans and Serie A experts alike (~1:50)Part 2:  Lyon fan Jorge Rodriguez joins Joe to talk about Garcia’s return to France, with a specific focus on his 18 months at Lyon (~24:26)