In their first real test of the 2022/23 campaign, Napoli look to stay at the top of the table with their third consecutive victory, but it won’t come easy against an improved Fiorentina side.
ACF Fiorentina
Fiorentina have had a busy start to the 2022/23 campaign, but have looked strong nonetheless. After finishing in 6th position last season, La Viola earned the opportunity to compete in UEFA Europa Conference League. Fiorentina’s 0-0 draw on Wednesday against FC Twente was enough to see them through to the Group Stage, after winning the first leg 2-1.
During the summer, Fiorentina built a squad that is deep enough to compete in multiple competitions. Pierluigi Gollini was brought in to replace Bartłomiej Drągowski in goal. Brazilian defender Dodô was purchased from Shakhtar Donestsk to bolster a back line that rests on the pillars of Igor and Nikola Milenković. In the midfielder, Rolando Mandragora was acquired to replace Lucas Torreira, who Fiorentina elected not to redeem at the end of his loan from Arsenal. Meanwhile, Fiorentina strengthened further in attack, signing Luka Jović on a Bosman from Real Madrid. With the likes of Arthur Cabral, Jonathan Ikoné, Nicolás González and an in-form Riccardo Sottil, Fiorentina’s attack is among the most dangerous in all of Serie A.
SSC Napoli
Through two rounds, Napoli lead all of Serie A with nine goals scored. Georgian wonder-kid Khvicha Kvaratskhelia leads the way with three goals and one assist, while Victor Osimhen has tallied two goals and an assist as well. Napoli also improved their attack with the additions of Giovanni Simeone from Hellas Verona and Giacomo Raspadori from Sassuolo.
The forwards were among the eight new signings presented to the Napoli faithful during an open training session on Wednesday. Salvatore Sirigu, Leo Østigård, Mathias Olivera, Tanguy Ndombele, Giacomo Raspadori, and Giovanni Simeone all featured in a rare mid-week friendly on Wednesday against Juve Stabia. Ndombele showcased his dribbling and passing abilities and opened the scoring with a powerful shot in the second half. Giuseppe Ambrosino and Alessio Zerbin added goals in the 3-0 victory.
Injuries/Suspensions
Gaetano Castrovilli continues to recover from knee surgery and is not expected to return until 2023. Meanwhile Szymon Zurkowski is out with an unknown injury. On Saturday, Vincenzo Italiano confirmed that Alfred Duncan and Nicolás González would not be available for the match due to injury. However, on Thursday Igor returned from an injury that caused him to miss Fiorentina’s first three matches.
For Napoli, Diego Demme continues to recover from a foot injury sustained in training. Though not injured or suspended, Fabián Ruiz is not likely to be in the squad due to an impending sale to PSG.
Probable Formations
Manager’s Comments
Vincenzo Italiano:
“We face them like last year at the beginning and they are still overflowing. For years they have been a big [club] in Italy, they are confirming that and will continue to confirm that again this year because they are all top [players]. It will be a complicated game that requires a fighting spirit. Every game is an exam. We will try to be as careful as possible.”
Luciano Spalletti:
“The difficulties for the match in Florence are many. Italiano has shown that he is capable of doing his job perfectly. Last year they put us in difficulty in all three games played against them. For us it is therefore fundamental to go and find the spaces that area created in the field against them.”
Previous Meetings
| April 10, 2022 | SSC Napoli | 2-3 | ACF Fiorentina |
| January 13, 2022 (Coppa Italia) | SSC Napoli | 2-5 AET | ACF Fiorentina |
| October 3, 2021 | ACF Fiorentina | 1-2 | SSC Napoli |
| May 16, 2021 | ACF Fiorentina | 0-2 | SSC Napoli |
| January 17, 2021 | SSC Napoli | 6-0 | ACF Fiorentina |
Match Officials
Head Official: Livio Marinelli
Assistants: Valerio Colarossi and Vito Mastrodonato
Fourth Official: Andrea Colombo
VAR: Luca Banti and Alessandro Lo Cicero
