Overview
After reclaiming the top spot with a victory over their title rival Inter Milan last weekend, Napoli continued to maintain their momentum with another victory in midweek.
However, Partenopei struggled at Lecce's Stadio via del Mare, when Frank Anguissa scored a second goal after many shaky matches. This goal was also only scored after goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic successfully blocked a penalty.
This result helped the Serie A champion maintain the leading position, ahead of Roma in terms of goal difference, while both teams from Milan were 3 points behind.
This is also a positive result for Napoli when they returned after the international break with two disappointing away defeats. That was a narrow loss to Torino and was defeated 6-2 by PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
unbeaten in 16 home matches in Serie A since December last year, winning all 4 matches this season, Napoli can now return to Campania. They will have 2 important matches in the next few days.
Before focusing on the Champions League, Antonio Conte's team will face Como, a team that created a surprise when they won 2-1 in their previous meeting in February.
Since losing 1-3 to Napoli more than a year ago, Como have made significant progress. They spent intelligently under the leadership of head coach Cesc Fabregas.
The smart transfers have helped them narrow their gap with the top teams in Serie A. And after easily staying in the league in last year's campaign, Biancoblu is determined to enter the top 6.
unbeaten at Stadio Sinigaglia so far, Como have won 11 points and conceded just 3 goals at home this season. However, they have been less effective away from home.
Before the away trip to Naples, Biancoblu had only won one away match, an average of less than one goal per match. Therefore, defeating defending champion Napoli will be an extremely difficult challenge.
Personnel situation
Napoli's absentee list includes two Belgian stars. Romelu Lukaku is still out, while Kevin De Bruyne has suffered a serious thigh injury.
The good news for Antonio Conte is that both Amir Rrahmani and Rasmus Hojlund returned to the bench in midweek. wingers Mateo Politano and Noa Lang are both slightly injured, but are likely to play.
However, Napoli will still be without midfielder Stanislav lobotka and first goalkeeper Alex Meret.
While Napoli still have some problems in attack, Alvaro Morata has gradually become a key striker since joining Como. However, he was replaced by Tasos Douvikas in midweek. It is still unclear who will officially play in Naples.
The Como squad is also being strengthened as wingers Assane Diao and Jayden Addai return from injury, while Maximo Perrone is about to recover after a minor problem. Currently, only Sergi Roberto and Alberto Dossena are still undergoing treatment.
Expected lineup:
Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic, Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Buongiorno, Spinazzola, Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay, Politano, Hojlund, Neres.
Como: Butez, Posch, Carlos, Ramon, Moreno, Perrone, Da Cunha, Kuhn, Paz, Diao, Morata.
The match between Napoli and Como takes place at 0:00 am on November 2 (Vietnam time).
