Napoli Club Focus: Are we looking at the Serie A champions?

Date: 27th October 2015 at 4:37pm
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After their hard-fought victory over Chievo, Napoli propelled themselves to second in Serie A and Louis Gibberd-Thomas considers if the Partenopei really can pose a Scudetto challenge.

Soccer: serie A, Chievo Verona-Napoli

Another great week for Napoli, with the most pessimistic of their supporters still waiting for the bubble to burst. The Partenopei have ended the week joint second with Lazio, Inter and Fiorentina on 18 points, still with just the one defeat in Serie A this season.

The performances under coach Maurizio Sarri have returned an excitement to the Stadio San Paolo, something not seen since former striker Edinson Cavani was demolishing Serie A opposition on a weekly basis. Their victory over Fiorentina last week marked a crucial point in the season, where, it could later be viewed as the turning point on their road to the Scudetto.

Far from being modest over the situation, Napoli are title challengers.

They are unbeaten in their last eight games, with important wins over Lazio, Juventus, AC Milan and Fiorentina. A total of 30 goals have been scored across all competitions, conceding just nine in the process.

Both Lorenzo Insigne and Gonzalo Higuain are in top form up front, with the recent performances of Allan and Jorginho fueling hopes of league success.

Essentially, all the ingredients are in place for Napoli to be crowned champions, but consistency and a bit of luck are required to make it a reality.

Higuain Insigne Callejon

One of the more subtle signs of their pedigree has been the reaction to the international break. Eight first team players departed to represent their respective countries, with Marek Hamsik, Dries Mertens, Elseid Hysaj and Vlad Chiriches all ensuring their respective nation’s participation in France next summer.

To recover so quickly to what was, for most, an eventful international break, showed great coaching aptitude by Sarri.

In the past, Napoli have been prone to lapses brought on by competing in a number of tournaments or international breaks, so this result against Fiorentina has dispelled some of that insecurity.

Impressive performances against FC Midtjylland and Chievo have followed, but now the attention turns to their southern cousins Palermo. The Rosanero will travel to the San Paolo having survived their encounter with Inter; narrowly escaping with a point.

With 13 goals conceded so far and just 11 scored, Napoli will welcome Giuseppe Iachini and his men, after recording a 1-0 slog away at Chievo.

The form of home-grown Insigne has captivated the Napoli fans, causing many to believe he can lead the Partenopei for years to come.

Lorenzo Insigne Empoli Napoli

Finally, as if matters couldn’t get any better, the Napoli team calendar is on its way!

Last season gave us the Gladiators, which even then coach Rafa Benitez went to the trouble of squeezing into a tunic.

This campaign, the emphasis is on sophistication, with images already emerging of Manolo Gabbiadini clutching a violin and Christian Maggio in a top hat.

Entertainment has been in abundance for Napoli supporters this season, but this is just on an entirely new level.

 

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