Overview
Currently ranked third in the Serie A standings, Napoli has been left behind by the leading team Inter Milan. Therefore, their focus at this time will shift to the goal of winning a Champions League spot next season.
Coach Antonio Conte's team is currently 6 points ahead of Juventus (ranked fifth) when the season is only 9 rounds left. However, AC Milan, Roma and Como are still fiercely chasing in the top 4 race.
Last week, the reigning Serie A champion overcame difficulties to defeat Lecce 2-1. Rasmus Hojlund scored the equalizer before Matteo Politano ended his goal drought that lasted 43 matches.
After winning three consecutive victories in Serie A for the first time this year, along with the return of many key players, Napoli is showing signs of regaining their best form. However, away record is still a problem that Conte is worried about.
In addition to poor results in the European arena, Napoli has also lost 6 away matches in Serie A this season. However, history is supporting them. The Campania team has been unbeaten in 14 away matches against Cagliari since April 2009.
Including the defeats in the first leg this season, Cagliari has lost 20 and won only 1 in the last 29 encounters with Napoli in Serie A. Although they once drew 1-1 with Napoli in the Coppa Italia in December last year (before losing in a penalty shootout), the Sardinian team is showing alarming form in the domestic league.
They have not won any points and have not scored any goals in the last 3 Serie A matches. More worryingly, Cagliari has just experienced two consecutive defeats. Most recently, they lost 1-3 to Pisa - a team that has only won one match since the beginning of the season and even had to play with one less player from the first half.
Only winning 2/18 maximum points recently, Fabio Pisacane's team is in a dangerous situation, after a period of prosperity helped them get closer to the safe zone.
Currently, the 6-point gap with the relegation group is not enough to guarantee Cagliari to stay in Serie A for the fourth consecutive season.
Personnel situation
Although Antonio Vergara has just joined Napoli's injury list - along with David Neres, Amir Rrahmani and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo - Conte still hopes Juan Jesus and Stanislav Lobotka can soon reappear.
Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne have returned to the squad recently, while Frank Anguissa also had his first start after more than 3 months in the victory over Lecce last week.
Romelu Lukaku has recovered and is ready to play, but is likely still only a substitute for key striker Rasmus Hojlund. This striker is in good form, scoring 2 goals in the last 3 matches in Serie A - equal to the total number of goals he has scored in the first 10 matches of the 2026 season. Currently, Hojlund only needs one more goal to set a new personal record with 11 goals in a season.
On the other side, Cagliari will welcome the return of one of the key strikers when Sebastiano Esposito's suspension expires. However, Fabio Pisacane is forced to adjust his defense after Adam Obert received a late red card in the defeat to Pisa and will be suspended for one match.
In addition, Riyad Idrissi, Gennaro Borrelli, Andrea Belotti and Mattia Felici are still unable to play due to injuries.
Expected lineup:
Caprile, Ze Pedro, Mina, Dossena, Palestra, Adopo, Gaetano, Folorunsho, Zappa, Esposito, Kilicsoy.
Meret, Beukema, Buongiorno, Olivera, Politano, Gilmour, Anguissa, Spinazzola, McTominay, Alisson, Hojlund.
The match between Cagliari and Napoli takes place at 0:30 AM on March 21st (Vietnam time).
