Serie A | Gameweek 6

Sep 29, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Napoli vs Monza

Match preview

After a goalless draw away to Juventus last weekend, Napoli had taken 10 points from their first five league games under Antonio Conte to move to within a point of leaders Torino.

Conte has tapped old favourite Romelu Lukaku and Azzurri starlet Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to lead an improving attack as the ex-Juve boss looks to return Napoli to the Champions League next season.

Having failed to qualify for Europe during a dreadful 2023-24 campaign, perhaps their best hope of silverware lies in the Coppa Italia, where they demolished Serie B side Palermo on Thursday night, Cyril Ngonge scoring a brace in a 5-0 home win.

Recent signings Scott McTominay and David Neres were also on target, demonstrating the increased depth Conte has at his disposal after an expensive summer in the transfer market.

Including the cup, where they will face Lazio in the last 16, Napoli have now won their first four home games under their new coach.

The Campania giants have also won two of their four previous top-flight meetings with Monza, scoring four goals on both occasions - most recently in April this year.

The last time these teams met, Napoli ran out 4-2 winners in Monza thanks to a quartet of second-half strikes, and the hosts have not tasted victory in Serie A since.

Monza are currently the longest winless side in the Italian top flight and last week's home defeat to Bologna extended their run to 14 games.

Although veteran striker Milan Djuric's equaliser looked to have salvaged a point, the Biancorossi conceded a late goal that saw them fall back to second bottom with three points.

While Alessandro Nesta's side are struggling in the league, they joined Napoli in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia on Thursday night, with a 3-1 home win over Brescia providing a brief respite.

Giorgos Kyriakopoulos, Gianluca Caprari and captain Matteo Pessina scored for Monza, who have struggled to find the net this season with just four goals to their name.

Nesta's men will be looking to turn their Serie A fortunes around before they face Bologna in the next round in December, perhaps starting with a shock first away win of the season.

Recent Performance

Napoli Serie A form:LWWWD

Napoli form (all competitions):LWWWDW

Monza Serie A form:DLDDL

Monza form (all competitions):DLDDLW

Injuries and suspensions

Napoli

1 Alex Meret

Monza

1 Alessio Cragno

19 Samuele Birindelli

66 Roberto Gagliardini

84 Patrick Ciurria

80 Samuele Vignato

47 Dany Mota

Possible starting lineups

Napoli(4-2-3-1)

25Caprile(GK)

22Lorenzo(DR)

4Buongiorno(DC)

13Rrahmani(DC)

17Olivera(DL)

99Anguissa(DMC)

68Lobotka(DMC)

21Politano(AMR)

8McTominay(AMC)

77Kvaratskhelia(AML)

11Lukaku(FW)

Monza(3-4-2-1)

30Turati(GK)

4Izzo(DC)

44Carboni(DC)

22Marí(DC)

13Pereira(DMR)

77Kyriakopoulos(DML)

32Pessina(MC)

42Bianco(MC)

14Maldini(AMC)

10Caprari(AMC)

11Djuric(FW)