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August 16, 2024
Following a disappointing Serie A title defense last season and the summer appointment of Antonio Conte as head coach, what can we expect from Napoli this year? Here’s your complete preview of the 2024/25 season.
After one of the worst title defenses in Serie A history, Napoli finished 10th in the 2023/24 season. It was evident that club president Aurelio De Laurentiis needed to make a change, leading to the hiring of Antonio Conte as the new head coach.
Conte enters the 2024/25 season under favorable conditions. Like his arrivals at Juventus in 2011 and Chelsea in 2016, he takes charge of a club that underperformed last season and can focus solely on domestic competitions, allowing him ample time to develop his squad.
While a repeat of the 2022/23 Serie A triumph under Luciano Spalletti may seem distant, Conte’s extensive experience and tactical acumen position him well to shape a team capable of qualifying for the Champions League by 2025/26.
Napoli’s transfer window kicked off quickly with several early signings. Still, their activity has slowed in recent weeks, primarily due to potential shifts in their attacking lineup. To align with Conte’s preference for a back-three formation, the Partenopei have focused on strengthening their defense.
Central defender Alessandro Buongiorno was acquired from Torino for €35 million. At the same time, left-wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola joined on a free transfer from AS Roma. Spanish defender Rafa Marin also arrived from Real Madrid for €12 million. However, his transfer includes two buy-back clauses: €25 million from June 2026 and €35 million from June 2027.
The Neapolitans have also offloaded several players who needed to be more consistent or make an impact in Naples. Danish winger Jesper Lindstrom has joined Everton on loan, Alessandro Zanoli was loaned out to Genoa, and Norwegian defender Leo Ostigard was sold to Rennes for €7 million. Brazilian center-back Natan has also left for Real Betis, with an option for them to buy him outright for €9 million.
However, Napoli has faced challenges in signing new players and offloading others. Paris Saint-Germain expressed interest in Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but their combined €200 million offer was deemed insufficient. Chelsea has similarly failed to meet Napoli’s demands. Conte is keen on bringing Romelu Lukaku to Naples. Still, the club is unwilling to offer more than €25 million to the Premier League.
Additionally, a deal for Frosinone midfielder Marco Brescianini has fallen through, with Atalanta now poised to step in. Negotiations for Jens Cajuste to join Brentford have also collapsed. Despite making some promising signings, the ongoing uncertainty around potential sales and acquisitions will weigh heavily on Conte.
While Conte prefers a 3-5-2 formation, Napoli will likely adopt a 3-4-2-1 setup this season to better integrate critical players into his system.
Wingers Matteo Politano and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are expected to operate in more central roles, allowing them to influence the game from the middle of the pitch. Meanwhile, right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo will likely advance upfield, taking on a wing-back role that enhances his attacking contributions compared to previous seasons.
Napoli faced Serie B club Modena in the opening round of the Coppa Italia, finishing in a scoreless draw but ultimately triumphing 4-3 on penalties. Di Lorenzo lined up in the back three in that match alongside Buongiorno and Rahmani. At the same time, Pasquale Mazzocchi played as the right wing-back, and Giacomo Raspadori served as the lone striker.
With no European commitments to manage, Conte can minimize squad rotations and concentrate on fostering chemistry among his preferred starting XI.
As of now, Napoli’s predicted first-choice lineup for the 2024/25 season is Meret, Rrahmani (Rafa Marin), Buongiorno, Olivera, Di Lorenzo, Anguissa, Lobotka, Spinazzola, Politano, Kvaratskhelia, and Osimhen (Raspadori).
Napoli has a relatively straightforward start to the season, beginning their campaign with an away match against Hellas Verona. This game is particularly noteworthy as it marks the 40th anniversary of Diego Maradona’s Serie A debut for the Partenopei, which ended in a 3-1 defeat in Verona. However, this Gialloblu side needs more of that historic team’s quality.
The first significant challenge will arise on Matchday 5, when Napoli faces Conte’s former club, Juventus, in Turin on September 22 (date to be confirmed). Then, Matchdays 10 to 13 will test the Neapolitans as they quickly take on AC Milan, Inter, and AS Roma.
Napoli will host Juventus on Matchday 22, followed by the return leg of the Derby della Sole against AS Roma. They will welcome the Milan clubs in March, facing Inter at the beginning of the month and AC Milan at the end.
As Napoli embarks on a new campaign under Conte, the new signings will be crucial to the team’s adaptation to his system.
Alessandro Buongiorno, who played in a three-person defense under Ivan Juric at Torino, will likely transition smoothly into Conte’s tactical framework. At 25 years old and with four caps for the Italy Men’s National Team, his move to Naples presents a vital opportunity to further prove his credentials.
Leonardo Spinazzola, though known for his injury struggles, is an exceptional attacking threat on the left flank when fit. While Conte’s rigorous training methods can be demanding, proper conditioning could allow the former AS Roma wing-back to significantly enhance Napoli’s offensive output.
Beyond the new arrivals, Giacomo Raspadori is poised for a breakout season. His versatility allows him to excel as a striker and an attacking midfielder, making him a valuable asset. Additionally, Argentine forward Giovanni Simeone may perfectly align with Conte’s style. As a hard-working striker, his work ethic could be instrumental in realizing the new coach’s vision for the team.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Latest Football News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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