Serie A leaders Lazio prepare for a challenging match against Napoli, missing Mattia Zaccagni due to injury. Lazio will depend on the contributions of Davide Frattesi and Gustav Isaksen. On the other side, Napoli looks to stars Kevin De Bruyne, Scott McTominay, and Rasmus Hojlund to help navigate their current crisis.
The match is set to take place at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples this Sunday at 11:30 GMT (12:30 CET).
Few anticipated that Lazio, under Gennaro Gattuso, would find themselves three points clear at the top of the Serie A table at this point in the season. Conversely, Max Allegri is under scrutiny for his role at Napoli following disappointing results, including a significant 4-1 defeat to FC Porto in the Champions League.
The situation at Napoli grows increasingly precarious as multiple players remain sidelined, including Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leonardo Spinazzola, Stanislav Lobotka, Benoit Badiashile, David Neres, Alisson Santos, Costantino Favasuli, and Alessandro Buongiorno, as detailed in a recent report. Additionally, Luca Marianucci is unavailable due to suspension following a red card in last week’s loss to Juventus, and Mathias Olivera is not fully fit.
Allegri has limited options at his disposal, requiring crucial tactical adjustments. He may opt for a 3-5-2 formation with McTominay or De Bruyne supporting lone striker Hojlund, while Matteo Politano and Antonio Vergara serve as wing-backs. Alternatively, Olivera could play left-back with Vergara on the right, using Noa Lang to assist Hojlund, which would place both De Bruyne and McTominay in midfield.
Lazio also faces challenges, having been without Albert Gudmundsson for an extended period, and now losing captain Zaccagni to a thigh injury. This necessitates a shift in Gattuso’s lineup; Tijjani Noslin is expected to take on a wider role, allowing Andrea Pinamonti to lead in the centre-forward position. Nuno Tavares is also dealing with a muscular issue, meaning Alfonso Pedraza may step in at left-back if needed.
Frattesi is anticipated to lead the midfield alongside Reda Belahyane and Kenneth Taylor, with only the position between Oliver Provstgaard and Diogo Leite in defence remaining uncertain.
Probable line-ups for Napoli vs. Lazio
Napoli: Meret; Beukema, Rrahmani, Marin; Vergara, De Bruyne, Gilmour, McTominay, Olivera; Lang, Hojlund
Lazio: Mandas; Floriani Mussolini, Sutalo, Provstgaard, Nuno Tavares; Frattesi, Belahyane, Taylor; Isaksen, Pinamonti, Noslin
