It’s time for our Napoli season preview! The 2023/24 Serie A campaign is on the horizon and below we take a look at Napoli ahead of the new season. This is the first edition in our season preview and predictions series. We will be analyzing everything that has happened to the top Serie A clubs over the summer and investigating how their 2023/24 seasons may go.
Below, check out our Napoli season preview, including a 2022/23 season recap, pre-season form, transfers, opening fixtures, predicted lineup, one to watch and their season target.
2022/23 Season Recap
Napoli were Scudetto winners last season as they won the Serie A title for the first time since 1990. They were able to wrap up the title with five games to spare, sending the whole of Naples into party mode. It looked as though it could have been a difficult season for the Partenopei after they lost a host of key players last summer. Names such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens all left the club.
However, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia became one Serie A and Europe’s newest stars as he lit up the Italian top flight. The Georgian winger signed from Dinamo Batumi for a fee of around €10 million. He won the 2022/23 Serie A MVP award for his efforts, scoring 12 goals and assisting ten in the league.
Victor Osimhen also consolidated himself as one of the best strikers in Europe after bagging 26 Serie A goals last term. Napoli have managed to keep a hold of both of their star players over the summer which will give them hope of going on and retaining the title.
Nevertheless, it will be a huge task now for new head coach Rudi Garcia to follow up on the success by Luciano Spalletti last season. The likes of Inter and Milan have seen plenty of changes to their squad this summer. We are set for yet another incredibly exciting and competitive season of Serie A football! Let’s get into our Napoli season preview.
Napoli Season Preview
Pre-Season Form:
Spal (N) D 1-1 (Goals: Andre Zambo Anguissa)
Hatayspor (N) W 4-0 (Goals: Victor Osimhen x 2, Giovanni Simeone x 2)
Girona (N) D 1-1 (Goals: Giovanni Simeone)
Augsburg (N) W 1-0 (Goals: Amir Rrahmani)
Apollon (N) W 2-0 (Goals: Victor Osimhen, Giovanni Simeone)
Transfers In:
Giacomo Raspadori (centre-forward) Sassuolo; Giovanni Simeone (centre-forward) Hellas Verona; Natan (centre-back) RB Bragantino; Elia Caprile (goalkeeper) Bari; Jens Cajuste (centre-midfield) Stade Reims
Transfers Out:
Kim Min-jae (centre-back) Bayern Munich; Andrea Petagna (centre-forward) Monza; Sebastiano Luperto (centre-back) Empoli; Elia Caprile (goalkeeper) Empoli – on loan; Tanguy Ndombele (centre-midfield) Tottenham Hotspur – end of loan
Summary of Transfers
The Azzurri oversaw a key loss in defender Kim Min-jae this summer as he left to join Bayern Munich for €50 million. He proved to be one of the best defenders in Europe last season and his departure will likely hit Napoli hard. Brazilian defender Natan will be hope to fill some of the void left by the South Korean.
There haven’t been too many additions for Napoli. However, the have completed the signings of last season’s loanees in Giacomo Raspadori and Giovanni Simeone. That leaves the Partenopei with a plethora of attacking options.
Napoli needed more midfield options after the loan return of Tanguy Ndombele back to Tottenham Hotspur. The have just brought in French midfielder Jens Cajuste from Stade Reims to bolster their options.
Opening Five 2023/24 Serie A Fixtures
Frosinone (A)
Sassuolo (H)
Lazio (H)
Genoa (A)
Bologna (A)
Napoli have a preferable start to the new season as they face just one of last season’s top six. That side will be Lazio but they will host them at the Diego Maradona Stadium so will be expected to win. They will also clash against two newly-promoted sides in their opening five matches. Pressure will be on early for Napoli to get off to a good start.
Predicted Line-up:
(4-3-3) Alex Meret; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leo Ostigard, Amir Rrahmani, Mathias Olivera; Stanislav Lobotka, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Piotr Zieliński; Hirving Lozano, Victor Osimhen, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia
Question marks remain about who will take over Kim Min-jae’s role next to Amir Rrahmani at the heart of the defense. The likes of Leo Ostigard and Juan Jesus are in contention, whilst Natan looks to settle in to European football. Giovanni Di Lorenzo will be ever present at right-back after his fine season last term, whilst Mathias Olivera and Mario Rui are options at left-back.
The usual midfield three of Stanislav Lobotka, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Piotr Zieliński will likely continue next season. Eljif Elmas and Diego Demme will offer depth, whilst new signing Cajuste will also offer another option. However, there have been reports about Zieliński leaving for the Saudi Pro League. Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga could be a potential replacement if the Pole does eventually depart.
Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen will lead the forward line and Garcia will have to choose between Hirving Lozano or Matteo Politano for the right-wing position. Raspadori and Simeone offer strong depth up top. The squad looks well balanced. Will Napoli be able to defend their crown?
One to Watch
Stanislav Lobotka
Of course, both Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen will be the key players to look out for Napoli after their stellar seasons last term. It will be interesting to see if Kvaradona can replicate his success from last season. However, Lobotka made Napoli tick last season and his work would often go unnoticed at the base of the midfield. His performances will be vital.
Season Target
It will be extremely difficult for the Partenopei to defend their Serie A title. However, they have as good a squad as any in the league and if Garcia can carry on the good work left by Spalletti then they have every chance of doing so. The Napoli fans will at least want another title challenge and for them to put up a good fight in defending their crown. A top-four finish is the minimum.