Empoli-Napoli: Tough match for the Azzurri between injuries and lineup choices

by Simone CioniEMPOLIAOn the first leg theEmpoli especially in the first half he put the team in serious difficulty Napoli, then leader, surrendering only for a 'little penalty' converted by Kvaratskhelia and in the last away matches Maradona has often given great satisfaction to the Azzurri. However, tomorrow's match remains extremely difficult both for the strength and quality of the individuals of Conte's team, as well as for the many absences that continue to decimate the Azzurri. Last week in fact marked the end of the season also for Kouame, Maleh and Zurkowski, all three successfully operated on for their respective injuries, without returning either Ismajli or Anjorin, who D'Aversa hopes to have available at least for the following direct clash at Easter against Venezia. Consequently, there are no big changes to expect regarding the training initial. The only two doubts could be in defense and attack.

Let's start from the back line where in front of Vasquez, the Colombian goalkeeper has the advantage over Silvestri (the former Sampdoria player is still available after the small fracture to his hand that forced him to miss the match against Cagliari), alongside Goglichidze and Marianucci there could also be De Sciglio. The experienced former Juve and Milan player could in fact be chosen to perhaps preserve Viti who gritted his teeth against Cagliari despite not being in top form. In attack, however, the ballot is in the three-quarter line behind Colombo, with Esposito, Fazzini, Cacace and Solbakken fighting for two shirts. Given that the former came on as a reserve at the start of the second half last Sunday, as D'Aversa himself underlined in the post-match, he could be the main suspect to start from the bench, to perhaps have him fresher against Venezia.

The New Zealander has started the last nine games and, despite his mistakes in front of goal against Cagliari, he actually appeared to be one of the most in form. So he could be confirmed on the left with Fazzini, suspended last Sunday against the Sardinians, who would cover the opposite side with the Norwegian striker therefore ready to come on during the game like Esposito. A choice, that of Cacace e Fazzini which could also be dictated by the fact that Napoli, with Bologna the team that suffers the fewest total shots and on target, despite not having yet conceded any goals from corners or headers, concedes a lot from outside the area. Both Cacace and Fazzini in fact have the long-distance conclusion in their repertoire. And both can also guarantee adequate retreats to the midfield line, where Napoli would otherwise be in numerical superiority. In midfield, in fact, the choices for D'Aversa are forced with the pair formed by captain Grassi and Henderson in the center and Gyasi and Pezzella wide on the wings.