Following a successful start to their title defence, Napoli return home to Stadio Maradona on Sunday evening, when they host Sassuolo.

While the Scudetto holders overcame an early setback to beat promoted Frosinone on Serie A's opening weekend, their visitors lost to Atalanta without scoring.

Match preview

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Trailing by an early goal to Serie B champions Frosinone in last Saturday's season opener, Napoli appeared at risk of a major upset at Stadio Benito Stirpe, but a familiar hero rode to the rescue and helped the champions secure maximum points.

Victor Osimhen smashed home Napoli's second goal before doubling his tally later in the game, as he made a sharp start to his defence of the Capocannoniere crown and played a major part in his side's 3-1 away win.

After cruising to the title last season, ending 33 years of waiting, the Partenopei are again likely to rely on Osimhen's predatory instincts in the opposition area, and the Nigeria striker will aim to top his total of 26 Serie A strikes last term.

As former coach Luciano Spalletti settles into the role of leading Italy's national team, current boss Rudi Garcia is tasked with repeating such miraculous feats despite making only modest signings so far this summer.

Having just missed out on chief target Gabri Veiga - who traded in a chance to represent the Italian champions for a lucrative spell in the Saudi Pro League - Garcia will therefore send a familiar-looking side out on Sunday, for Napoli's season debut at Stadio Maradona.

The Campanian club are now aiming to win both of their first two fixtures for the ninth time in 13 seasons, and having gone unbeaten in their last five league games against Sassuolo recent precedent is certainly on their side.

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In fact, Sassuolo have managed just a single victory against Sunday's hosts in the teams' 15 most recent Serie A meetings, losing on eight occasions.

Hopes of adding to that meagre haul seem slim, given the Neroverdi's disappointing end to the 2022-23 season and last week's home loss at the start of a fresh campaign.

Following a 2-0 loss to Atalanta, Sassuolo are enduring the longest ongoing streak without a win in the Italian top flight - seven games, of which they have lost five - placing pressure on head coach Alessio Dionisi to produce an upturn in results soon.

Having placed 13th in the final standings last season, the Emilian side have been unable to sustain the rare heights of Roberto De Zerbi's successful spell at the club, when consecutive top-half finishes were achieved, and Dionisi's third year in charge has not started well.

Sassuolo's first competitive outing of 2023-24 saw them squeeze past Coppa Italia first round opponents Cosenza in extra time, then long-serving talisman Domenico Berardi sat out last week's league loss while hoping to force through a move to Juventus. Now, they must travel south to face one of the toughest tests in Calcio.

Team News

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After missing out on the opening day due to a minor injury, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia should return to Napoli's starting XI on Sunday, with ex-Sassuolo striker Giacomo Raspadori most likely to make way for the Georgian winger.

In just two matches, Kvaratskhelia has been directly involved in four Serie A goals against Sassuolo - his most against any team in the Italian top flight. However, after 22 goal involvements in his first 23 league appearances, he has not scored or assisted in any of his last 11.

Starting up front for the champions, Victor Osimhen has played a part in six goals from four meetings with the Neroverdi, averaging one goal involvement every 57 minutes.

Meanwhile, Sassuolo will again be without star man Domenico Berardi, who remains out in the cold due to his latest transfer saga; long-serving defender Gian Marco Ferrari has returned to training after a move failed to materialise but is not fit enough to feature.

Brazilian centre-back Ruan returns from suspension, though, and only Agustin Alvarez is set to be sidelined by injury.

Summer signing Samuele Mulattieri competes with Andrea Pinamonti to start up front, while Maxime Lopez patrols central midfield. The latter completed 78 passes on matchday one - at least 10 more than any other Serie A midfielder; incidentally, the Frenchman scored both his first and most recent Serie A goals at Stadio Maradona.

Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia

Sassuolo possible starting lineup:
Consigli; Toljan, Viti, Erlic, Vina; Lopez, Henrique; Defrel, Bajrami, Lauriente; Pinamonti

We say: Napoli 2-0 Sassuolo

As Sassuolo lack real bite in the final third, Napoli should secure back-to-back wins at the start of their Scudetto defence. The Partenopei's forward line is packed with power and an ability to open up the tightest of defences - and their visitors are not particularly strong at the back either.


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Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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