Reigning Serie A champions Napoli will face Como in the third quarter-final of the Coppa Italia. This match is crucial as both teams vie for a chance to meet Inter Milan in the semifinals. The encounter will take place at Stadio Maradona, where Napoli has maintained an impressive unbeaten streak in domestic competitions for over a year.
Match Preview
Napoli entered the Coppa Italia at the last-16 stage due to early exits from European competitions. Their journey to this point includes a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Cagliari, where they won 9-8 after a tense 1-1 draw at home. This marked their return to the cup after six years, as they aim for a seventh title.
Despite their focus on domestic achievements, Napoli has encountered challenges in Serie A, currently competing for a top-three finish. Recent back-to-back victories have boosted their standing. This includes a narrow win against Fiorentina and a hard-fought triumph over Genoa, where they displayed resilience despite player injuries.
Como’s Journey
Como, on the other hand, is enjoying its best-ever Coppa Italia campaign, having previously defeated Sudtirol and Sassuolo to reach this stage. The Lombardy club is also aiming for a top-four finish in Serie A, following significant investments in recent years.
Head coach Cesc Fabregas has guided Como to impressive performances, including a dominant 3-0 victory over Lazio and a thrilling 3-1 cup win against Fiorentina. However, their last match against Atalanta was disappointing, as they failed to secure a win despite a numerical advantage for most of the game.
Recent Form
- Napoli Coppa Italia Form: Win
- Como Coppa Italia Form: Win, Win, Win
- Napoli Recent Form: Win, Draw, Loss, Loss, Win, Win
- Como Recent Form: Draw, Loss, Win, Win, Win, Draw
Team News
Antonio Conte, Napoli’s head coach, is faced with an injury crisis, including key players such as Kevin De Bruyne and Franck Anguissa. Scott McTominay’s availability for the match is uncertain following an injury sustained recently. Goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who performed excellently in the penalty shootout, may start.
Como’s Fabregas enjoys a near-full squad, with only Assane Diao and Edoardo Goldaniga unavailable. Their attacking duo, Nico Paz and Tasos Douvikas, poses a significant threat, with both contributing significantly in goals this season.
Projected Lineups
| Napoli | Como |
|---|---|
| Milinkovic-Savic | Butez |
| Beukema | Smolcic |
| Rrahmani | Ramon |
| Jesus | Kempf |
| Gutierrez | Valle |
| Lobotka | Perrone |
| Elmas | Da Cunha |
| Olivera | Vojvoda |
| Vergara | Paz |
| Giovane | Baturina |
| Hojlund | Douvikas |
This match promises to be competitive, with Como aiming to exploit Napoli’s injury challenges. Both teams will showcase their strengths as they compete for a coveted spot in the Coppa Italia semifinals.
