A significant shift occurred in the lineup as Paolo Zanetti prepared his team for the challenging match against reigning champions Napoli. In a strategic move, he opted for a thoughtful rotation, completely revamping the attacking front. Orban and Sarr were chosen as starters, providing them with an excellent opportunity to showcase their skills. The defense saw the return of Valentini, while Nelsson took a seat on the bench.
The midfield also experienced changes, with Gagliardini stepping in as the key playmaker, replacing Serdar and Al Musrati. This is a vital opportunity for Niasse to make an impact. Currently sitting at the bottom of the table, level on points with Fiorentina and Pisa, Hellas Verona faces an uphill battle. Napoli, energized by Hojlund, is racing towards the league title, presenting a daunting challenge.
In the first half, the match saw early intensity. In the 7th minute, goalkeeper Montipò made a crucial save against Elmas, who aimed a sharp diagonal shot at the near post, but Montipò stood firm, deflecting it for a corner.
Verona took the lead in the 16th minute with a strike from Frese. Bradaric set up Niasse on the right, who delivered a low cross into the area. Frese executed a clever back-heel, leaving Napoli’s Milinkovic-Savic with no chance.
The match intensified when a handball from Buongiorno led to a VAR review in the 23rd minute, resulting in a penalty for Napoli. Orban stepped up and scored, doubling Verona’s advantage amidst a palpable sense of anticipation.
The starting lineups for both teams were as follows:
Napoli (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Gutierrez; Elmas, Lang; Hojlund
Hellas Verona (3-5-2): Montipò; Nunez, Bella-Kotchap, Valentini; Bradaric, Niasse, Gagliardini, Bernede, Frese; Sarr, Orban
Off the bench for the visiting team were Perilli, Toniolo, Oyegoke, Yellu, Serdar, Nelsson, Giovane, Slotsager, Kastanos, Harroui, Ebosse, Mosquera, Cham, and Al-Musrati.
With both coaches, Antonio Conte for Napoli and Paolo Zanetti for Verona, at the helm, the match promises to be an intense confrontation with significant implications for both teams as they strive for their respective objectives in the league, highlighting the unpredictable nature of football.