In the sign of Naples. The 24th day begins precisely with the leaders, expected from the away game in Empoli to continue theirs Scudetto escape. By now, the title is no longer under discussion for anyone, but Spalletti, as a good leader, does not want tension drops, aware that only those, perhaps, could reopen a race that now seems long overdue. This time, however, the Azzurri didn't have a week off to prepare for the match, indeed in these days it's probable they haven't even thought about the championship, distracted, in the good sense of the term, by the Champions League and from what was done in Frankfurt. Empoli, already capable of beating Inter at the San Siro, hopes to get something out of it, despite knowing that stopping this Napoli is almost impossible for anyone.
Empoli – Naples (18pm, Dazn)
The question, for at least a month (abundant), is no longer whether the Azzurri will win the Scudetto, but when they will. Superstitious fans are free to get angry, while the others will agree that Spalletti's team is too superior to the others, both from a technical and mental point of view. Hunger, moreover, is not a trivial detail, as Milan demonstrated last season: however, that of Napoli is even higher, as can be seen from the numbers, which have been practically perfect up to now. osimhen and team mates are doing amazing things and dominating the league from every perspective, starting with +15 over second-placed Inter. The figure, already sensational in itself, can be explained by the best attack (56 goals), the best defense (15) is a series of scary victories, both total (20 in 23 games) and consecutive (6, of which 17 in the last 18). In short, the match at Empoli shouldn't create problems, but the opponent has already created problems for the Azzurri, both in the first leg (it finished 2-0, but Napoli only unblocked it in the final from a penalty) and a year ago, when the The 3-2 final (from 0-2) marked the lowest point of the Spalletti era, so much so that its continuation was even called into question.
Spalletti doesn't trust him: "A delicate match in Empoli, euphoria doesn't become presumption"
“It's a very delicate match due to their precise tactical geometry, they know how to stay on the pitch very well and they have strong players like Vicario, Parisi, Baldanzi, they are players that we will find next year in the big teams competing for the top ranking and already now they know how to behave on the pitch – the thought of the blue coach -. It is not good luck, we want to win for our city, we feel it, we perceive it, but we must not make the slightest mistake, the presumption that puts an end to growth must not begin with euphoria. Today we have to be good at 'mechanising' the importance of these matches well in our heads, without considering other things. It's like when you wear blacksmith glasses: you don't see anything from the side, but only what's in front of you. This is what you need, looking only at Empoli”.
Empoli – Napoli, the formations: minimum turnover, the very first players play
In the immediate post-Eintracht the rumor of a possible had spread turnover for those who have played the most, starting with top scorer Osimhen. But Spalletti doesn't want to touch his creature too much, aware that iron must be wrought while it's hot and that of Naples is even incandescent. Furthermore, next week will be free from commitments, therefore the rotations will be reduced to a minimum and aimed above all at the interpretation of the match, not to be taken lightly. The blue 4-3-3 will thus see Meret in goal, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim (warned) and Mario Rui in defense, Anguissa, Lobotka and Elmas (favorite over Zielinski) in midfield, Politano, Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia in attack. Zanetti, struggling with a Caputo who is not at his best (but he will grit his teeth), will respond with the usual 4-3-1-2 with Vicario between the posts, Ebuehi, Ismajli, Luperto and Parisi in the back department, Haas, Henderson and Marin in the median, Baldanzi behind the offensive duo made up of Caputo and Satriano.
