Football Season Guide

The two-year period with coach Benitez at the helm of the team certainly was a two-faced one for Napoli. In fact, they did manage to bring home some silver-ware, one Coppa Italia and one Italian Super Cup, but they also remained with a bitter taste in their mouths for what might have been and never was. Despite the wide investments and the huge expectations, the Neapolitans never came even close to fight for the Scudetto or to become real protagonists of the European scene. The goal the Spaniard had been asked to achieve by the management. For such reason, the coach was let go and he was replaced by Maurizio Sarri, who had an impressive debut in Serie A with Empoli at 55 years. It has to be seen whether or not the new man at the helm will be able to repeat the wonders displayed with the Tuscan side in terms of play, while also managing to bring Napoli back to the top 3 of the Italian football. In order to achieve such goal, no major players were let go, with just Zapata being sacrificed as a pawn for Allan’s arrival from Udinese. The Brazilian should become the anchor in the middle of the park, something that Jorginho, David Lopez and Inler never really managed to be. Reina, back after a season spent on the bench at Bayern Munchen, will be the man I goals with Hysaj, Maggio, Strinic and Ghoulam as the full-backs while Chiriches should be favourite as Albiol’s partner in the heart of the defence. Koulibaly would thus be relegated to the bench alongside Henrique. In a 4-3-1-2 formation, the system of play beloved by Sarri, Allan, Valdifiori, who did very well with Empoli, and Hamsik should be the midfielders. Insigne and Mertens should be the ones contending for a place as attacking midfielders while Higuain and Gabbiadini should be the forward two, with Callejon ready to step in when needed.