Year: 2023

In the first episode of the week, Joe Fischetti previews Napoli’s Champions League Quarter-final second leg match against Milan, including: Almost everyone dropping points on Matchday 30: Stefano Pioli’s rotation ahead of Milan’s draw to Bologna and Luciano Spalletti’s rotation ahead of Napoli’s draw to Hellas Verona (~1:02) Predicted starting XI’s (~9:19) 3 Keys to the Match (~21:14) Match Prediction (~34:28)

Even with the return of the ultras' support, Napoli failed to find the back of the goal against a stingy Hellas Verona defense.  Here are three takeaways selected by Forza Napoli Press. Eyes on the Other Prize None of the three Italian teams competing in the Champions League won their respective matches on Saturday.  Stefano Pioli made ten changes ahead of Milan's 1-1 draw against Bologna and Simone Inzaghi made five changes ahead of Inter's 0-1 defeat to Monza. Luciano Spalletti made five changes of his own ahead of Napoli's scoreless draw against Hellas Verona.  Juan Jesus allowed Amir Rrahmani to…

Napoli look to respond from their second consecutive loss to AC Milan, while simultenously reducing the magic number to three.  However, it won't be easy against a Hellas Verona side who have enjoyed playing spoiler at the Stadio Maradona in recent years. After a dreadful first half of the season, Hellas Verona seem to have found their form and are now only four points away from safety.SSC NapoliDespite being 16 points clear of their nearest rival (13 after Lazio's win over Spezia on Friday), Napoli are experiencing their worst run of form all season.  After losing only three of their…

In the second episode of the week, Daniel Russo joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s Champions League Quarter-final first leg match against Milan, including:Part 1 - Dreadful officiating: the non-call on Kvara; Anguissa’s dismissal; Kim’s yellow card; inconsistencies between the first half and second half; and potential missed calls for Milan too (~0:48)Part 2 - Match review, including: Elmas playing as a false 9; Mike Maignon the best in the world; undeserved result for Napoli; Milan’s goal; and shameful behaviour from both sets of fans (~20:58)

Napoli kick off their first ever Champions League Quarter-final with a trip to Milano. Meanwhile, Milan, who have taken every opportunity to remind the world of their Champions League DNA, play in their first Champions League Quarter-final in over a decade.AC MilanAfter a statement 0-4 victory over Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Milan failed to find the back of the goal in a scoreless draw against Empoli. Stefano Pioli rested a number of his regular starters, including Rafael Leão, Olivier Giroud and Brahim Díaz.Though Milan have won seven Champions League/European Cup titles, they did not participate in the…

In the first episode of the week, Vincenze Bertillo joins Joe Fischetti to review Napoli’s victory over Lecce on Friday and to preview Napoli’s Champions League Quarter-final match against Milan on Wednesday, including: Part 1 - Match Review:  Lecce-Napoli, including:  Reasons for Napoli’s sudden dip in form; Defense still shaky but making big contributions in attack; positive takeaways from the win; and Giovanni’s Di Lorenzo’s leadership (~1:02) Part 2 - Champions League Match Preview: Milan-Napoli, including:  was Milan’s psychological advantage diminished by the latest Serie A results? Who will start for Napoli? and what would be a satisfactory result? (~24:33)

Napoli needed a fortuitous own goal from Wladimiro Falcone to earn a morale-boosting victory over Lecce. Here are three takeaways selected by Forza Napoli Press.Shell of Their Former SelvesIt’s difficult to pinpoint the precise reason why, but for the second consecutive match, Napoli looked like a shell of their former selves. With no obvious reason for the Azzurri's sudden drop in form, Forza Napoli Press suggests a few possibilities:No VictorThe absence of Serie A’s top goal-scorer has been evident.  Victor Osimhen stretches opposition defenses with his presence alone. The threat of the the long ball over the top forces opposition back…

In the second episode of the week, Joe Fischetti previews Napoli’s match on Friday against Lecce, including:Lecce’s current form and Marco Baroni’s brief history with Napoli;Predicted starting lineups and why we could see some changes from Lecce with Sampdoria on the horizon;3 Keys to the match:  right the wrong; Use our width and if that doesn’t work, have a Plan B; and key Lecce players to look out for;Match Prediction and the latest on the ultras-ADL drama