Year: 2023

Napoli look to extend their Serie A win streak to eight matches and inch closer to their first Scudetto in 33 years, while Empoli look to end their four-match winless streak.Empoli FCAfter a surprising victory over Inter, Empoli have three draws and one loss. The other Azzurri have been fairly predictable this season. They tend to beat teams near the bottom of the table, draw teams in the middle of the table and lose to teams at the top of the table.Nevertheless, Empoli have remained in Serie A since returning two seasons ago, largely due to their sound business model. Like Napoli,…

On Friday, UEFA announced via its official web site and social media channels that Giovanni Di Lorenzo's goal against Eintracht Frankfurt, assisted by a clever backheel from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, was named Champions League Goal of the Week. The other nominees were Darwin Núñez, who scored with a clever backheel flick to open the scoring against Real Madrid, Vinicius Junior, who pulled one back against Liverpool, curling the ball inside the far post, and Karim Benzema's second to seal the 2-5 victory over Liverpool. https://twitter.com/UEFAcom_it/status/1629077059526959106?s=20

Victor Osimhen and Giovanni Di Lorenzo scored at the Deutsche Bank Park, putting Napoli in a commanding position heading into the second leg, which Eintracht Frankfurt will play without their top scorer. Here are four takeaways selected by Forza Napoli Press. Relentless After weathering the early storm, which was undoubtedly fueled by the energy of the Frankfurt faithful, Napoli settled down and took control of the match. From the 20th minute onward, Napoli were in complete control and they were relentless in attack. While Luciano Spalletti was pleased with the result, the Napoli coach might rue not having put the…

The Champions League resumes on Tuesday for two of Europe's most exciting teams, as both Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt seek their first ever Champions League Quarter-Final berth.Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt enter their first Champions League Round of 16 match on a high note. After a 3-0 defeat to FC Koln in 20th round of the German Bundesliga, Die Adler (The Eagles) responded with a 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen.Randal Kolo Muani put the match away with his tenth goal in the league and 15th in all competitions, to go along with his Bundesliga-leading 10 assists. Kolo Muani was signed in the summer on…

In the first episode of the week, Joe Fischetti reviews Napoli’s win over Sassuolo and previews Napoli’s match against Eintracht Frankfurt: Part 1: Match Review - Sassuolo-Napoli, including: More wonder-goals from Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen; Osimhen’s numerous chances; Simone’s disallowed goal and why VAR needs to change; Spalletti’s late changes; the other impressive left winger; Sassuolo’s dilemma; and Napoli’s kickoff routine (~1:06) Part 2: Match Preview - Eintracht Frankfurt-Napoli, including: Frankfurt’s journey to the Champions League, including their dramatic Europa League win; Frankfurt’s familiar business model; Frankfurt’s Champions League Group Stage; Starting Lineups; Frankfurt’s style of play and key players; and…

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen scored wondergoals as Napoli cruised to their seventh consecutive league victory. Here are three takeaways selected by Forza Napoli Press. Pick Your Poison While most clubs defend Napoli in a low block, Alessio Dionisi bravely asked his players to play their game. Though Sassuolo often played with ten men behind the ball, they did not simply drop back and defend (i.e. they defended in a mid block). In fact, they often pressed high. That created a dilemma for the Neroverdi.  When they defended in the mid block, they were faced with a Napoli side who…

Napoli and Sassuolo open the 23rd Round of the Serie A campaign, with the Azzurri looking to crack the 60-point mark, while Sassuolo hopes to extend its unbeaten run to five matches.US SassuoloWith two wins (against Milan and Atalanta) and two draws in their last four, Sassuolo seem to have finally found their form. Consequently, the Neroverdi have moved into a tie with Lecce and Fiorentina for 13th in the table. All three clubs are on 24 points, seven points clear of Hellas Verona in the final relegation position.It's no coincidence that the results have improved as the squad gets…