Napoli will make the trip to the Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium this weekend when they meet with Hellas Verona on the opening weekend of Serie A action following on from a disastrous game in the Coppa Italia for the home side.
Verona were absolutely humiliated in the game against Bari in what was their season opener of competitive football in 2022/23.
#ThrowbackThursday🔙 2013🛍 Amazon Brand Store: https://t.co/hcs61MphIg💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/Dr4RJfMqkb— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) August 11, 2022
#ThrowbackThursday🔙 2013🛍 Amazon Brand Store: https://t.co/hcs61MphIg💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/Dr4RJfMqkb
The likes of Napoli and others within the top half were not active this early on in the Coppa Italia, so it was left to the likes of Verona to represent Serie A early on.
However, despite seeing 53% of the ball with seven shots on target from the nine efforts they had, the club were destroyed 4-1.
A goal in the first half from Kevin Lasagna looked to be the perfect start for Verona, but on home soil, they were soon stunned by a hat-trick from Walid Cheddira and then a goal from Michael Folorunsho.
The game ended 4-1, and in front of their own fans, Verona couldn't have asked for a much worse start. What's worse Davide Faraoni was sent off in that game too, and this will now run over into this game.
Preseason was also a little slow for Verona, despite them winning two games. They managed to defeat Virtus Verona 1-0 in a local clash, before defeating Cremonese 4-3 just two weeks ago ahead of their Coppa Italia defeat.
Napoli, however, had a stunning preseason. They kicked things off with a stunning 10-0 win over Anaune Val di Non, before beating Perugia 4-1 and then drawing with both Adana Demirspor 2-2 and Mallorca 1-1.
They regained some form with a 3-1 victory over Girona, before moving back to the draw column with a 0-0 game against Espanyol. Overall, it was a very good summer for Napoli, and their attacking intent was on clear display.
For the Naples side this season, it will simply be about trying to close the gap on the Milan clubs and keeping off Juventus.
They finished nine points clear of the Turin outfit last season, but by sitting fourt, they trailed Inter Milan by five points and AC Milan by a further seven.
Given how Verona are coming off the back of a dreadful loss in the Coppa Italia, there seems to be only one winner in this one. Forebet predicts a victory for Napoli and for the game to see over 2.5 goals.