In a thrilling Coppa Italia round of 16 match, SSC Napoli is set to face Cagliari this evening at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:00 GMT (18:00 CET). This match marks Napoli’s first appearance in the Coppa Italia this season.
Match Preview: Napoli vs. Cagliari
Head coach Antonio Conte has opted for a significantly altered starting lineup after Napoli’s recent 1-0 victory over AS Roma. Notably, only three players retained their positions from the previous match—Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Sam Beukema, and Mathias Olivera.
Key Changes for Napoli
- Amir Rrahmani, Alessandro Buongiorno, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Stanislav Lobotka, Scott McTominay, David Neres, Rasmus Hojlund, and Noa Lang are all rested.
- Luca Marianucci is suspended and would have also featured in the starting eleven.
- Notable absentees include Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and Billy Gilmour.
This rotation opens up opportunities for younger players, such as Antonio Vergara, Giuseppe Ambrosino, and Pasquale Mazzocchi, to shine in this crucial cup tie.
Cagliari’s Squad Adjustments
Cagliari arrives at the match after a narrow defeat to Juventus. The team has made several changes to its own lineup, providing chances for players like Zito Luvumbo, Gianluca Gaetano, and Leonardo Pavoletti.
- Cagliari’s confirmed lineup is as follows:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Caprile |
| Defender | Deiola |
| Defender | Luperto |
| Defender | Rodriguez |
| Midfielder | Di Pardo |
| Midfielder | Adopo |
| Midfielder | Gaetano |
| Midfielder | Obert |
| Forward | Kilicsoy |
| Forward | Pavoletti |
| Forward | Luvumbo |
As both teams clash in this exciting matchup, fans can expect an intense battle for a place in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. Stay tuned for updates throughout the game on El-Balad.
