Serie A 2024-2025: Napoli-Empoli, the likely lineups

Napoli and Empoli will close the 32nd day of Serie A. The challenge will be the Monday night postponement at 8:45 p.m. at the Stadio Maradona. Napoli is still in full fight with Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan for the Scudetto, while Empoli absolutely must find salvation points to avoid relegation to Serie B. The Conte-coached lineup in the last round against Bologna had a chance to shorten in the standings on the Nerazzurri stopped by Parma. But the Rossoblù stopped the Azzurri, not changing the distance between the two clubs.

D’Aversa’s Empoli, on the other hand, is living a completely opposite situation from Napoli. The Tuscans are in the midst of the struggle not to relegate. The distance from the fourth last place, useful for salvation, is occupied by Lecce is only 2 points away. The Azzurri come from only 3 points in the last five. Victory since the start of the new year in Serie A, has yet to come with success missing for D’Aversa’s men even since the 15th day of Serie A.

For the postponement against Empoli, Antonio Conte will be without two important players, Di Lorenzo and Anguissa, both absent due to disqualification. In the Azzurri’s 4-3-3, Mazzocchi is in pole to replace Di Lorenzo on the right flank, with Rrahmani, Juan Jesus (given Buongiorno’s injury) and Olivera completing the defense in front of the usual Meret. In midfield the number one suspect to replace Anguissa, should be Gilmour with Lobotka and McTominay completing the department. Up front, a possible start from the bench once again for Raspadori, with Conte intent on confirming the trident Neres, Lukaku and Politano.

Empoli in goal, given Silvestri’s stoppage, will most likely field Vazquez again as a starter, with the defensive trio of Goglichidze, Marianucci and Viti in front of him. On the outsides, Gyasi could return from 1′ on the right with Pezzella ready to act on the left. In the middle Grassi and Henderson should be reconfirmed. Finally, the two trequartisti behind the only point Colombo will probably be Cacace and Esposito.

Probable lineups

Napoli (4-3-3): Meret; Mazzocchi, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Olivera; Gilmour, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Lukaku, Neres. Coach: Antonio Conte.

Empoli (3-4-2-1): Vasquez; Goglichidze, Marianucci, De Sciglio; Gyasi, Grassi, Henderson, Pezzella; Esposito, Fazzini; Colombo. Coach: Roberto D’Aversa.

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