Monza-Napoli is a match of the 31st day of Serie A and is played on Sunday at 3 p.m.: odds, predictions, live TV, streaming.
The drubbing suffered on the return from the break against Atalanta has perhaps permanently ousted Napoli from the Champions League race. A 3-0 without any possibility of appeal for the Azzurri, who once again revealed defensive limits: it is no coincidence that the goal of the reigning Italian champions has not remained inviolate since the blank-net draw with Lazio last January 28, when Mazzarri was still on the bench.
The ferryman Calzona is doing what he can but the feeling is that to “heal” this Napoli will take time. And even the “revolution” that patron De Laurentiis has in mind, who ended up in the dock because of his choices regarding coaches, may not be enough. The first outings with the former deputy of Sarri and Spalletti, in any case, had raised hopes: however, since the success with Juventus (2-1) the partenopei have not won, collecting two draws and two defeats between the championship and the Champions League (the one with Barcelona cost the elimination from the cup). The risk, once they slip to -12 from fourth-placed Bologna, is to stay out of the minor competitions (Europa and Conference League) as well, since after the last day Lazio overtook them and ninth-placed Torino moved to -2. Neither is Raffaele Palladino’s Monza far behind Napoli. The Brianzoli, eleventh, have only three points less and it is not a gamble if we call the Brianteo challenge a sort of direct clash. Biancorossi are coming off a 1-0 defeat against Torino, a step back for a team that was coming off two wins in a row against Genoa and Cagliari.
Monza-Napoli: latest lineup news
Palladino has now cleared the four-man defense: Birindelli and Carboni on the outsides and Pablo Marì and Izzo in the middle. In the midfield, it will be Bondo’s turn to take the place of the disqualified Pessina, while up front Maldini and Djuric seem to be ahead of Mota Carvalho and Colombo respectively, ready to help from the bench.
Calzona’s main doubt concerns the presence of Kvaratskhelia, who returned injured from the national team. His employment in Monza is not certain and he will be risked only if he can fully recover. Toward the confirmation of Traoré in midfield with Anguissa and Lobotka. The former Sassuolo player is undermined by Zielinski and Lindstrom.
The Prediction
Monza has avoided defeat in the last two confrontations with Napoli, and the constant in the three previous A matches between the two teams is that one of them has not scored. A trend that could be reversed, in light of the Azzurri’s defensive problems. The hosts, always hostile in front of their public, should manage to score at least one goal, and it would not be a surprise if they avoid defeat as well.
The probable formations of Monza-Napoli
MONZA (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Birindelli, Izzo, Pablo Marì, A. Carboni; Gagliardini, Bondo; Colpani, V. Carboni, Maldini; Djuric.
NAPOLI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Olivera; Zambo Anguissa, Lobotka, Traoré; Politano, Osimhen, Raspadori.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
