Hellas Verona – Napoli

Napoli look the favourites for the match against Verona

The departure of Djuric and the arrival of Tudor didn't do anything to damage Verona. Under the Croatian coach, Hellas were able to finish ninth in the standings. High pressure, intensive and aggressive play often brought positive results and the Mastiffs were memorable both for successful games against neighbors in the table and several victories over opponents from the Eurocup zone. It is not surprising that Igor Tudor attracted the interest of many clubs in Europe, and the coach decided to take up a new challenge - to be in charge of Marseille. The Croatian specialist was replaced by Gabriele Cioffi, who successfully worked for six months with Udinese. Together with him the team also underwent a reorganization. Nicolo Casale, Destini Udoji, Daniel Bessa, Gianluca Caprari and Mattia Zacchagni left Hellas. Some of them were last season's team leaders, some were bought out after loans. Giovanni Simeone was nominally retained, but the bright striker is rumored to be about to move to Napoli. The signings include Tom Henri, Milan Djuric and Josh Doig, Roberto Piccoli, as well as several bought back players. Yes, Verona kept Ilic and Barac, but overall the changes can be called serious. The Mastiffs were not at their best in their first official game of the season. Ellas lost to Bari with the score 1:4 and left the Italian Cup. Napoli also underwent a similarly global shift. The Neapolitans had a great season. At a certain point of the championship the team was seen as a possible Scudetto winner, but in the end they finished in third place, and in the European Cup they reached the 1/16 Europa League, where they lost to Barcelona. However, the team said goodbye to a number of important players. Thus, Insigne, Coulibaly, Ospina, Mertens, Gulyam and Malcuya left the Partenope. Nevertheless, the list of players to enter is not bad: Kim Min-Jae, Kvaratskhelia, Anguissou, Matias Oliveira, Sirigu and Estigor. We managed to keep Osimhen and Ruiz, which can't help but please the tiffosi. The loss of the team's leaders cannot but affect, on the other hand, the rejuvenation of the squad could be good for the Neapolitans. Our opponents approach this season with big upgrades. It will be possible to assess their chances at least come the fall, but the visitors look favorable prior to this game. Spaletti had a good season last season, he retained his position and rejuvenated the squad. Napoli, quite possibly, will take the first three points in this match.