In only 10 days, Napoli will visit Real Madrid in the first leg of the Last 16 Round of the Champions League. While Los Blancos had some rest this weekend due to the postponement of their game in Vigo, the Italian side thrashed (1-7) Bologna in Serie A, getting the second position of the Serie A.
Maurizio Sarri’s team is in the best moment of the season. Napoli haven’t lost any game since they visited Juventus on the 29th of October and they’re now second of the table, only 6 points behind Juventus, who still have one pending game. On Saturday, we could see one of the best performances of the season and Napoli are already showing their cards to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League.
“We are not thinking in Real Madrid”, Sarri said after beating Bologna. The Italian team have to play against Genoa on Friday in their last game before facing Los Blancos at Santiago Bernabéu. Sarri could give some rest to key players because Genoa are in a really bad moment, and they should be able to earn the three points in that game.
Zinedine Zidane should pay special attention to the treble formed by Callejón, Mertens and Insigne. Sarri trusted these three players to form the attacking line after the serious injury suffered by Milik and the low level showed by Manolo Gabbiadini, transferred to Southampton in the winter transfer window. Pavoletti, signed in January from Genoa, has not had opportunities with these three players at a great level.
Actually, both Mertens and Hamsik scored a hat-trick and Insigne also found the net against Bologna. Callejón was sent off in the first half. Mertens has scored 16 goals in Serie A, Callejón 8 nets and Insigne 7 goals. Real Madrid should be worried about this treble, one of the best in Europe.
Besides, Napoli are showing a great level far from San Paolo. Although their stadium is one of the hottest venues in Europe, they’re getting better results away. In the Champions League they got 7 points away and in Serie A they have only lost against Juventus and Atalanta. Napoli are the best team away in Serie A with 21 points far from San Paolo.
Finally, Marek Hamsik needs a special attention. The Slovakian playmaker is doing, again, a great season. He’s one of the best players in Europe and he has found the best position in the new formation, with three strikers in the front. Hamsik has scored 9 goals this season so far in Serie A and he’s the Napoli’s most dangerous player.
Callejon didn’t score. Mertens and Hamsik both scored a hatrick and Insigne scored one.
The mistake is already corrected. Thanks for the comment.
Callejon got a red card and did not score against bologna. Mertens has 16 goals in the league.. Hamsik and Mertens scored hat trick each against bologna. Please put some more effort on getting simple statics right.
The mistake is corrected. Thanks for the comment.