Italian Serie A preview: SSC Napoli – US Palermo
Palermo and Napoli are two of the most entertaining outfits in Serie A and the Champions League hopefuls will go head-to-head at Stadio San Paolo in Naples. With both sides boasting outstanding attacking talents, the match will be a treat
for the proponents of beautiful football.
Neapolitans eyeing the throne
Partenopei faithful have been devoid of silverware for far too long. Ever since Diego Maradona left the peninsula, Napoli has gone withering into lower Italian leagues and owing much to bankruptcy, the club officially ceased to exist in
the earlier part of last decade. However, Aurelio De Laurentiis bought the club and since then there are many things that have changed. Under his inspirational leadership, Partenopei have been a dominant force and in just a matter of few years, Diego Maradona’s
former side now aims at Scudetto. Even though a League title is still crude fantasy talk, Napoli can finish with a Champions League spot come the end of season.
With 24 points from the opening 14 games, Walter Mazzarri’s side is fourth in the league with a game in hand. A victory on home turf will take Partenopei level on points with third placed Juventus, Just 6 points off the top.
Even though The Blues only managed a 3 – 3 draw in their Europa Cup game against Utrecht, Azzurri are on a four game winning spree in the league and Edinson Cavani and Co. will be hopeful of the three points.
Rosanero Champions League ambitions
Palermo are arguably the most entertaining side in the Italian game and with a fiercely outspoken president to go with that, Rosanero faithful are always provided something to cheer about. Despite losing Cavani to Napoli, the club managed
to strengthen well over the summers and are in contention for a Champions League spot.
Just a solitary point separates the two sides on the League table as Aquile have accumulated 23 points so far in the season. Should Delio Rossi manage to forge a victory tonight, Palermo will leapfrog Napoli into fourth place.
Rosanero travel to Napoli on the back of a morale boosting 3 – 1 victory over AS Roma in their last league outing. However, having said that, Aquile will to defend well now as they have conceded 11 goals in six away games they have played
thus far.
Team News
SSC Napoli
Cristiano Lucarelli and Matteo Gianello are on longer-term injury concerns for Mazzarri; who will deploy a 4-3-2-1 formation with Cavani leading the line. He will be ably assisted by Lavezzi-Hamsik, a combo that has been successful so
far.
US Palermo
Rosanero will make the trip without Abel Hernandez and youngster Matteo Darmian while Armin Bacinovic is suspended for this game. Rossi will deploy his own version of 4-3-2-1 to counter Napoli midfield with Miccoli, Pastore and Ilicic,
forming a fearsome attack.
Key Players
Edinson Cavani
The former Palermo player has been in dazzling form this season with 9 Serie A goals to his name; Cavani jointly leads the Capocannoniere charts. The striker bagged an impressive hat-trick in the midweek on continental
stage as he will enter the game in arguably the best form of his life. Should Cavani manage to score past his former employers, Napoli will take the three points on the night.
Javier Pastore
The darling of Sicily and the most sought after youngster in Italy, Pastore has turned into a world class playmaker this season. The player has mesmerising skill and in full flow, the lanky Argentine is a reminiscent of Brazilian Kaka
in his prime. If afforded time on the ball, the playmaker will make Napoli pay dearly on the pitch.
Prediction
This game promises to be an enthralling affair as both set of fans gear up for a wonderful night of football. With very little to separate between the two sides, football will ultimately be the winner as the score board will read 2 – 2
at the end of 90 minutes.
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