Goal +18. The Napoli inaugurates the 23rd day on the field of the Sassuolo, looking for 3 points that would make his already huge advantage over second-placed Inter even more substantial. But the Azzurri, even if Spalletti will never admit it, will use the Mapei test to loosen up their muscles in view of the Champions League, to be faced, never like this year, as protagonists. Napoli, numbers in hand, is one of the most convincing teams in Europe, as written by the English newspaper The Guardian, which even elected them the favorite to play for the trophy.
Sassuolo – Naples (20.45 pm, Dazn)
However, woe to underestimate Sassuolo, not because the Azzurri cannot afford a defeat (after all, with such an advantage, they would remain first even losing 5 in a row), but because of the psychological backlash that would ensue. Breaking the streak of 6 consecutive victories (16 in the last 17 in the league!) right now, with Eintracht at the gates, would not be ideal for a fantastic group, but still not used to winning. Spalletti, yesterday in silence from the press, knows it perfectly and that's why he continues to preach calm, despite everything, absolutely everything, let us predict the victory of the Scudetto 33 years after the last time.
Spalletti celebrates the thousand benches in his career
Furthermore, the coach certainly does not want to ruin the celebration of a thousand benches in his career, a goal he will reach tonight at the Mapei Stadium: the first dates back to 24 April 1994 in a Massese-Empoli match of the then Serie C1, while today he is flying towards the second championship won, the first in Italy after the one in Russia with Zenit. Mister Spalletti has come a long way and has no intention of stopping now, not with such a beautiful and convincing Napoli aiming to break any record, in addition of course to the tricolor.
Dionisi believes it: "Careful Naples, we will play a vigorous match"
The role of the party pooper will dress him Alessio Dionisi, who will attempt a successful feat this season only in Liverpool (Champions, but Napoli had already qualified), Inter and Cremonese (Coppa Italia), or beat the leaders. “I am convinced that we will a solid game – explained the coach at the press conference -. I expect Napoli to be aggressive and determined to win, but we will try to limit it by exploiting our characteristics both in defending and in attacking. We'll have to be brave with and without the ball, if you let him have the ball for the whole game you'll lose, even mentally: I expect the right mentality from the boys from start to finish."
Sassuolo - Naples, the formations: no turnover for Osimhen, Raspadori out for 30-40 days
The upcoming engagement of Champions could suggest a bit of turnover, especially since the same players almost always play in Napoli. However, Spalletti wants to strike while the iron is hot, so very little will change compared to the match against Cremonese: the goal is to win the Scudetto as soon as possible, regardless of the European path. The speech, of course, also concerns Osimhen, who will be on the pitch regularly from the first minute, also because Breakers, one of the possible substitutes, suffered a second-degree strain to his left thigh and will have to stay in the pits for at least 30-40 days. The blue 4-3-3 will thus see Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim and Mario Rui in defense, Anguissa, Lobotka and Elmas (favorite over Zielinski) in midfield, Politano, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia in attack. Dionisi, on the other hand, risks a very heavy absence, which he may have to do without Berardi, came out in pain against Udinese and strongly in doubt: the exams ruled out acute injuries, but the player feels pain in his adductor and therefore could be left out. Sassuolo would thus opt for a 4-3-3 with Consigli between the posts, Zortea, Erlic, Tressoldi and Rogerio in the back department, Frattesi, Maxime Lopez and Henrique in the midfield, Bajrami, Pinamonti and Laurienté in the offensive trident.
Europa League and Conference: Juve furious with the referee, Roma mocked, Lazio and Fiorentina did well
In the meantime, the first round of Europa League and Conference, with a bittersweet balance for the Italians, made up of two victories (Lazio and Fiorentina), a draw (Juventus) and a defeat (Roma). The bianconeri did not go beyond a 1-1 home draw against the French side Nantes, but the result, the result of goals from Vlahovic (13') and Blas (60'), weighs heavily on the decision of the Portuguese referee Pinheiro, who denied a penalty to the Lady in full stoppage time (98') transforming an obvious hand from Centonze into an offensive foul by Bremer. Much regret also for Mourinho's Giallorossi, mocked by Salzburg in the 88th minute (header by Capaldo) after having had the best chances, with Abraham in the first half and with Cristante and Belotti in the second. It went much better in Conference, Where Lazio beat the Romanians of Cluj thanks to a goal by Immobile (45+4'), despite a match played almost entirely outnumbered (Patric sent off), again due to a very questionable decision by the English referee Pawson. The most spectacular success but it is that of Fiorentina, capable of conquering the difficult field of Braga (third in the Portuguese league) with a resounding 4-0 signed by Jovic (45+1' and 60') and Cabral (79' and 90'). In a week the returns, in the hope of bringing home a 4 out of 4 that would give prestige to all of Italian football.
