Napoli is on the verge of clinching their second Serie A title within three years as they gear up for a crucial match against struggling Lecce this Saturday. This contest marks the beginning of four encounters against relatively weaker teams that could potentially seal their remarkable league victory.
Coach Antonio Conte has emphasised that Napoli’s status as Inter Milan’s primary challengers for the Scudetto would have seemed “unthinkable” at the outset of the season.
Indeed, what Conte has achieved is a minor miracle, guiding a club still recovering from one of the most dismal title defenses in Serie A history to a three-point lead at the top of the table with less than a month left in the season.
No one expected Napoli to be in the running for a Champions League spot when, as Conte pointed out, they kicked off the season with a disastrous 3-0 loss to Verona, collapsing “like snow in the sun.”
However, backed by significant acquisitions such as Romelu Lukaku and Scott McTominay late in the summer transfer window, Conte has forged a new squad from the remains of the team that ended a three-decade title drought two years ago.
With a guaranteed top-four finish already in hand, Conte is eager for his fifth Scudetto as a coach, having previously clinched three with Juventus followed by the title secured with Inter in 2021.
“The power is in our hands,” Conte remarked following last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Torino, which was secured by a double from McTominay.
“We’ve put in a tremendous amount of effort and are now reaping the rewards… Considering where we began, this is extraordinary.”
Challenges remain for Napoli, however, as Conte has made it clear that he expects substantial investment in the squad if he is to continue his tenure in Naples.
Conte is acutely aware of the advantage he has enjoyed by not having to juggle European commitments during his first season at Napoli, especially as the reigning champions Inter struggle under the demands of a taxing campaign.
Inter fought back to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw against Barcelona on Wednesday night, yet may be without their captain Lautaro Martinez, who was substituted just before half-time in Catalonia due to a thigh issue.
Right below Napoli and Inter, the competition for the last two Champions League berths is extremely fierce, with only six points separating Atalanta in third place from eighth-placed Fiorentina.
Atalanta aim to maintain at least a four-point gap above fifth place as they prepare to face relegation-threatened Monza, and will be grateful not to be playing at home, where they’ve only managed one domestic victory since the start of the year.
Meanwhile, Sunday night’s clash between Juventus and Bologna is a critical test for both sides, while sixth-placed Roma’s impressive 18-match unbeaten streak in the league will be challenged during their encounter with Fiorentina.
Winger Riccardo Orsolini has been one of the standout performers in Serie A this season, and his goal against Inter ten days ago not only helped Napoli regain the top spot but also bolstered Bologna’s Champions League aspirations.
The 28-year-old joined Bologna in 2018 after his spell at Juventus and Atalanta did not pan out as expected. He recently described moving to Juve from Ascoli a year prior as a moment that made him question his ability to compete in top-flight football.
Orsolini now has the chance to make an impact against both of his former clubs and secure Champions League qualification for the second consecutive season.
Key stats
3 – The points lead that Napoli holds over Inter heading into the season’s concluding four matches.
6 – The number of teams competing for the two remaining Champions League spots.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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