Napoli’s season was supposed to improve with the sacking of coach Rudi Garcia. However, the appointment of Walter Mazzarri hasn’t helped the reigning Serie A champions improve their form.
The Partenopei will restart the Serie A season after the Christmas break with a visit from Monza.
That save 🤯⚪️🔴#ACMonza #MonzaFiorentina #SerieATIM #DAmbrosio pic.twitter.com/xLZcU4H5Gv— AC Monza (@ACMonza) December 26, 2023
That save 🤯⚪️🔴#ACMonza #MonzaFiorentina #SerieATIM #DAmbrosio pic.twitter.com/xLZcU4H5Gv
The hosts lost three of their last six matches in Serie A and sit in seventh place.
Monza, on the other hand, are 11th in the standings ahead of their trip to Napoli. They too are in poor form, with just one win in their last six matches.
Monza are on a two-game losing streak and failed to score in either of those two fixtures.
Napoli and Monza played four times previously. Two of the four games ended in draws.
Meanwhile, Napoli won last season’s game at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona 4-0. Monza claimed a home win in the reverse fixture 2-0 at home.
The Partenopei scored goals for fun last season. However, this campaign, Napoli are struggling to find the back of the net.
They scored just four goals in the last six matches in Serie A. Napoli averaged 1.65 goals per game in the opening 17 matches.
Monza are also struggling to find the back of the net. They scored a mere four goals in the last six matches in Serie A.
The Biancorossi took just five points from the last six games. They have a road record of 2W-2D-4L and goal difference of -6.
Napoli haven’t been in much better form at home. They tallied a record of 3W-1D-4L and a goal difference of -1.
Monza coach Raffaele Palladino will be without Alejandro Gomez due to a suspension. He will be joined by Pablo Mari on the sidelines.
Mari is suspended for the fixture as well. Forward Gianluca Caprari is ruled out until May with an ACL injury.
Andrea Colpani leads Monza in goals with six. Lorenzo Colombo is second in goals with just three.
Mazzarri will be without Victor Osimhen, who is suspended for the fixture. Osimhen leads the team in goals with seven. Forward Matteo Politano is also suspended for the match.
Midfielder Stanislav Lobotka is ruled out with a rib injury. Defenders Natan Souza and Mathias Olivera are both ruled out of the match due to injuries.
Napoli won this fixture last season and should post another victory over Monza on Friday. The Partenopei may be without Osimhen but should still claim a 2-1 home win.