Reigning champions Napoli continue their quest to salvage something from a disastrous defence of their Serie A title, as they visit mid-table Monza on Sunday.
With a win, the hosts would join their illustrious visitors on 45 points in the standings, also improving hopes of a top-half finish.
Match preview
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Back in Naples on a short-term contract, before he steers Slovakia through Euro 2024 this summer, Napoli's interim manager Francesco Calzona had steadied the ship ahead of the recent international break, but events last week further damaged the champions' chances of securing a spot in UEFA competition.
Having suffered just one loss from seven since Calzona took the reins, the Partenopei crumbled to a 3-0 defeat against fellow European contenders Atalanta BC, ending a six-match unbeaten streak and dropping them down to eighth place.
Under three different head coaches, they have struggled to match expectations in Naples this term, and another defeat at Stadio Maradona leaves them on a meagre 45 points after 30 league games - the last time they had as few points on the board at this stage of a season was back in 2010.
Without the pressure of pleasing their home fans, Napoli have fared better on the road, and they will be aiming to extend a three-match unbeaten run away from home this weekend.
Trailing sixth-placed Atalanta by five points, Calzona's side cannot afford too many more slip-ups in the weeks ahead, and having already exited both the Coppa Italia and Champions League, their sole focus is on Serie A.
In three previous top-flight meetings with Monza both sides have recorded one win, while December's reverse fixture ended goalless at the Maradona, meaning Napoli should take nothing for granted on Sunday.
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After failing to beat Napoli in their first six home matches across Serie B and the Coppa Italia, Monza finally recorded their first success over the Campanian club in May of last year, having already secured their top-flight status.
This season, the Biancorossi have followed up their Serie A debut with another impressive campaign, and they occupy 11th place in the standings with only eight games left to play.
Like Sunday's visitors, Monza also lost last weekend, going down 1-0 to Torino as captain Matteo Pessina was sent off midway through the second half.
Nonetheless, Raffaele Palladino's men have won four of their last six matches - as many as throughout the previous 16 - and they are now seeking a first top-half finish.
In the course of climbing towards Italy's top 10, Monza have also won three of their last five home fixtures, and after a recent 1-0 defeat of Cagliari they will try to post back-to-back home wins in Serie A for the first time since November 2022.
Team News
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As Napoli forwards Cyril Ngonge and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia returned to full training this week, both will be available on Sunday.
Alongside Victor Osimhen - who is aiming to avoid a first four-game goal drought in Serie A since 2022 - Kvaratskhelia has led the way in the champions' scoring charts this season, netting 10 times so far; however, he has recently struggled with a groin injury sustained on Georgia duty.
Jesper Lindstrom aside, Francesco Calzona therefore has a full squad to choose from, and some changes could be made following last week's defeat; Jens Cajuste and Piotr Zielinski will both be hoping for selection in midfield.
Meanwhile, Monza must do without Matteo Pessina this weekend, due to his dismissal against Torino, and in addition to their captain's suspension, the hosts are missing several injured players.
Gianluca Caprari (ACL) and Samuele Vignato (adductor) are both unavailable, while Naples-born Danilo D'Ambrosio is a major doubt.
Among goalkeepers to have started at least 20 matches, Michele Di Gregorio ranks second for save percentage in Serie A this season (80%); incidentally, Napoli's Alex Meret (65%) sits fifth from bottom in that regard.
Monza possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Birindelli, Mari, Izzo, A. Carboni; Bondo, Gagliardini; Mota, Colpani, Maldini; Djuric
Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
We say: Monza 1-1 Napoli
Stature aside, there has been little to separate these clubs this season, as both have been inconsistent and are gravitating towards mid-table. A low-scoring draw could be on the cards, then, with misfiring Napoli being frustrated again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
