Overview
After adding the Italian Super Cup to last season's collection, Napoli continued to affirm their position with a 2-0 victory over Bologna in the final just played. David Neres was the focus with a double, helping the blue team consolidate the image of the Serie A champion.
Antonio Conte's team overwhelmed the defending Coppa Italy champion relatively easily, just a few days after Neres scored in the impressive semi-final against AC Milan.
Napoli celebrated in a very Conte style, even Scott McTominay rewarded himself with a cigar after the final whistle. But behind that joy is a reality - the journey to maintain the number one position in Italy is still extremely harsh.
Napoli traveled east in the context of just experiencing two consecutive defeats in Serie A and Champions League, thereby suddenly closing a 5-match winning streak. After losing to Benfica and Udinese, Conte's team continued to reveal worrying problems away from home. They have lost 7 away games since the beginning of the season, equal to the number of losses in the previous 33 away games.
Conversely, Napoli has just completed an unbeaten year at home, thanks to which they are still only 2 points behind the leading team Inter Milan in the title race that is predicted to be volatile. History also partially supports them when Napoli has only lost to Cremonese twice in 16 encounters in the tournament. However, Cremonese this season is showing that they are a much more difficult opponent than their reputation.
Despite not having an impressive head-to-head record against Napoli, Cremonese has actually only lost one of eight times hosting this opponent at the Zini stadium in Serie A. The Lombardy team has also continuously caused difficulties for strong opponents since returning to the top division.
After defeating Milan at San Siro and Bologna at Dall'Ara, Davide Nicola's team just drew with Lazio 0-0 right in Rome last weekend. That match witnessed Jamie Vardy and Federico Bonazzoli missing significant opportunities, before substitute player Federico Ceccherini shone and received a red card in injury time.
Even so, Cremonese still stands in the mid-table area with 21 points - a position that helps them get closer to European cup spots rather than getting bogged down in the relegation battle. If they win this match, Grigiorossi will have 2 consecutive home wins in Serie A for the first time in 30 years.
The problem is, to reach that milestone, they must overcome a Napoli that has just had a strong mental boost and is eager to correct mistakes away from home.
Personnel situation
Napoli continues to have a headache about the force when the trio of midfielders Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa and Billy Gilmour cannot play, alongside goalkeeper Alex Meret. In addition, Sam Beukema (leg injury) and Mathias Olivera (shoulder injury) both have minor problems in Saudi Arabia.
On the positive side, Antonio Conte has just received important good news with the return of Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker is on the bench in both Super Cup matches after a 4-month break due to injury. However, because Lukaku has not reached a ready state, Rasmus Hojlund is likely to lead the attack.
On the Cremonese side, Federico Bonazzoli and Jamie Vardy are expected to pair up in attack. They may also welcome Martin Payero back after suspension.
Conversely, Ceccherini was suspended for 1 match due to receiving a red card in the final minutes of the Lazio draw. In terms of injury, Michele Collocolo is the only absentee, while Matteo Bianchetti is expected to recover in time after a muscle problem.
Expected lineup:
Audero, Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti, Barbieri, Payero, Bondo, Vandeputte, Pezzella, Bonazzoli, Vardy.
Milinkovic-Savic, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola, Neres, Lang, Hojlund.
The match between Cremonese and Napoli takes place at 9:00 PM on December 28th (Vietnam time).
