Joe Fischetti

On Wednesday, SSC Napoli hosted La Liga club Girona FC for the third friendly match at the Stadio Teofilo Patini in Castel Di Sangro. After consecutive draws in the friendlies against Adana Demirspor and Mallorca, Napoli defeated Girona 3-1. Matteo Politano exited the match midway through the first half with an apparent calf injury. He was replaced by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, confirming that the Georgian did not suffer a serious injury in Napoli’s previous friendly match against Mallorca. Napoli opened the scoring in the 27th minute after ex-Napoli player David Lopez inadvertently redirected Hirving Lozano’s cross into the back of his…

On Wednesday, Dries Mertens posted a heartfelt farewell message to Napoli fans, teammates and staff on his Instagram page. In the post, Mertens thanked the people of Napoli and confirmed that he will keep his house on the bay, so he can return home as often as possible. https://twitter.com/dries_mertens14/status/1554912246849060865?s=20&t=3GydjL9YaCxvWrYcsSvkuw Dear Neapolitans, my fellow citizens. I knew this day would come eventually, but I never knew it would be so difficult for me…Saying goodbye to this city that adopted me, that loved me and supported me through both difficult times and wonderful times. The records and victories will be in the…

On Wednesday, Kalidou Koulibaly gave his first press conference since Chelsea FC purchased the central defender from SSC Napoli. Koulibaly addressed a number of subjects, including Aurelio De Laurentiis’ comments on Tuesday regarding not signing African players. While Koulibaly respects his former club’s president, he also acknowledged that De Laurentiis’ opinions belong to him only, and not to the club or its fans. “It’s up to him. He wanted to say this but for me, the most important is to respect everybody. I always respect everybody and when I played there I was playing also for Senegal. I won the…

On Tuesday, Aurelio De Laurentiis was a guest on Wall Street Italia’s Smart Talk. Amongst other subjects - including offers he has received for the club and a new concept of a Super League - the SSC Napoli president addressed players competing in international competitions.  “Don’t talk to me about African [players]. I love them, but either they sign for me a refusal to participate in the African Cup, or else between the African Cup and the South American championship, I never have them at my disposal. We are the fools who pay their salaries to send them around to…

On Sunday, Napoli hosted Spanish club RCD Mallorca at the Stadio Teofilo Patini in Castel di Sangro. This was the second friendly played at Castel di Sangro, but the match was far from friendly. Mallorca, the 16th placed team in the 2021/22 La Liga campaign, were often late with their challenges, much to the dismay of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Hirving Lozano, Eljif Elmas and others. Napoli, who were sporting the 2022/23 away kit, were awarded a penalty kick in the 8th minute, after Clément Grenier handled the ball in the area. Victor Osimhen stepped up to the spot and smashed the…

On Saturday, Lorenzo Insigne missed a golden opportunity to score his first goal for his new club Toronto FC. The Reds were awarded a penalty kick in the 76th minute after an intricate exchange between Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Jonathan Osorio, Insigne and Deandre Kerr. Insigne stepped up to the spot but was stopped by New England goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović. Though Petrović guessed correctly, the shot was poorly struck, lacking both power and accuracy. Perhaps justice had been served, as the VAR review clearly showed that Kerr kicked the back of the leg of Matt Polster after Polster got a touch on…