Serie A Week 28 – 12 Mar 2017 (14.00 UK)
Napoli – Crotone
Stadio San Paolo
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SSC Napoli vs Crotone Preview and Prediction
Napoli welcome Crotone at the San Paolo and try to regain their focus after the Champions League exit to Real Madrid.
It can’t be easy to transition from subduing the champions of Europe for a half, to facing one of the worst teams in the continent’s top five divisions. And yet captain Marek Hamsik has asked his teammates to toe the line, saying that they “need to think of Serie A and the Coppa Italia”.
Last weekend’s sensational 2-1 win over Roma has given the Partenopei new lease of life in Serie A, where they’re only two points short of the Giallorossi, whose second place guarantees automatic qualification to the Champions League. Neither pretender needs reminding of the traumatic memories associated with the qualifying stage, Roma going out to Porto in August.
Napoli have even less margin for error, however, Wojciech Szczesny’s super save off Marko Rog allowing Luciano Spalletti’s men to maintain an edge (the away goals rule) were they to finish level with Napoli.
With the Partenopei fired up after playing five games in just over two weeks, Coach Maurizio Sarri is expected to rest a few players, especially since Napoli have given away some points at Fuorigrotta, recently drawing 1-1 with Palermo and losing to Atalanta 2-0.
Christian Maggio and Ivan Strinic could get a chance at the back, while Arkadiusz Milik has already promised some waiters that he’ll score, his recent return so far not being celebrated with a goal.
Crotone’s abject situation has been detailed time and time again on this website, something echoed by sporting director Giuseppe Ursino, who told media that he “hoped that Napoli would be a bit tired, but knowing Sarri this won’t happen.”
Captain Gian Marco Ferrari, for his part, was coy about the possibility of using a 4-4-2 formation (the only line-up they’ve won with, not that this says much), while claiming that the Pitagorici still hoped to stay up. Eight points behind with 11 games to go, they’ve not helped themselves by losing four in five, incidentally the same track record of every team in the bottom five.
Even a goalless draw last week at home to Sassuolo isn’t particularly good news, especially when the visitors have lost to just about anybody this season.
Things only get worse when one realises that both Aleandro Rosi and Federico Ceccherini are suspended, with captain Claiton Dos Santos injured, forcing Mario Sampirisi and Noe Dussenne to deputize in defence.
Judging from the way they’ve been playing, the Calabrians will need Diego Falcinelli to shine once again. The scorer of eight goals and provider of two assists, the 25-year-old has a real shot at being Sassuolo’s main striker next season. Owned by the Neroverdi, Falcinelli will have a good chance of replacing the out-of-favour Gregoire Defrel, or the ageing and inconsistent Alessandro Matri.
Player to Watch: Marko Rog (Napoli) – It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the 21-year-old, who has gone from being the subject of a row between Sarri and President Aurelio De Laurentiis on his lack of playing time, to playing a blinder both against Juventus and Roma. Rather surprisingly, the Croatian looked to have more of an impact than Jorginho at the Olimpico, his powerful running combining beautifully with Marek Hamsik’s passing and positioning between the lines.
Form Guide: Napoli (W L W W W) Crotone (D L L L L)
Last season: Not played
Stat fact: Crotone have beaten Napoli only once in five competitive meetings, 2-1 at the Stadio Scida in a March 2007 Serie B game, along with one draw and three losses.
Top Tip: Napoli to win by +2
Napoli (probable): Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Strinic; Rog, Jorginho, Hamsik; Callejon, Milik, Mertens
Suspended: None
Crotone (probable): Cordaz; Sampirisi, Dussenne, Ferrari, Martella; Rohden, Capezzi, Crisetig, Stoian; Falcinelli, Acosty
Suspended: Rosi, Ceccherini
