For the first time in 33 years, Napoli host a match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona (formerly the Stadio San Paolo) wearing the Scudetto on their shirt.
SSC Napoli
Napoli opened the season with a 1-3 victory over Frosinone at the Stadio Benito Stirpe. The reigning Capocannoniere, Victor Osimhen, picked up where he left off, scoring a brace in the victory.
Napoli were shaky in the first half – the club’s first half of competitive football under new manager Rudi Garcia. Jens Cajuste struggled in his debut, conceding a penalty kick and being caught offside by the VAR, negating Giacomo Raspadori’s first goal of the season. With André-Frank Zambo Anguissa replacing Cajuste at the break, Napoli settled down and coasted to victory.
US Sassuolo
Sassuolo are seeking their first points of the season after losing 0-2 to Atalanta in Round 1. With Berardi not in the squad and the departure of star midfielder Davide Frattesi, the Neroverdi struggled to create goal-scoring opportunities.
Sassuolo are betting on youth, bringing in a number of youngster in the summer, including: Filippo Missori (19-year-old from Roma); Samuele Mulattieri (22-year-old from Inter); Cristian Volpato (19-year-old from Roma); and Luca Lipani (18-year-old from Genoa). Sassuolo have also made a number of changes at the back, selling left backs Riccardo Marchizza and Rogério to Frosinone and Wolfsburg, respectively, right back Mert Müldür to Fenerbahce and Kaan Ayhan to Galatasaray.
Injuries/Suspensions
Napoli are fully fit, however, Diego Demme and Gianluca Gaetano were left out of the matchday squad amidst speculation of potential moves to Hertha Berlin and Frosinone, respectively.
For Sassuolo, forward Augustin Alvarez continues to recover from a torn ACL. Meanwhile, Domenico Berardi did not travel to Naples due to fitness. The right winger returned to training this week being heavily linked to a move to Juventus.
Probable Formations
Manager’s Comments
Rudi Garcia:
No press conference
Away Coach:
“I believe that Napoli, like all team, need to play to get in shape and find their passing lanes. They seem to be the same team as last year. They seem to be the same team as last year because very little has changed. We already saw Napoli’s strength in the first match. Tomorrow we will have to defend as a team, but we’re going there to play, not to defend.”
Previous Meetings
| February 17, 2023 | US Sassuolo | 0-2 | SSC Napoli |
| October 29, 2022 | SSC Napoli | 4-0 | US Sassuolo |
| April 30, 2022 | SSC Napoli | 6-1 | US Sassuolo |
| December 1, 2021 | US Sassuolo | 2-2 | SSC Napoli |
| March 3, 2021 | US Sassuolo | 3-3 | SSC Napoli |
Match Officials
Head Official: Antonio Giua
Assistants: Stefano Del Giovane and Marco Trinchieri
Fourth Official: Daniele Rutella
VAR: Daniele Chiffi and Valerio Marini
