Crippled Napoli chasing league leaders Inter

Napoli are literally decimated ahead of the match against Verona, but thanks to an exceptionally deep squad — only Inter have a bench as long and as well stocked — Conte can still field a team that remains the favourite against Verona. To an already very long list of injured and unavailable players, Neres (ankle injury) and Mazzocchi (red card against Lazio) have been added. Let us recall that Conte has for some time been unable to count on Anguissa, De Bruyne, Lukaku, Beukema, Gilmour, and Vergara.

The Azzurri finished 2025 without a single defeat at the “Maradona” and intend to start 2026 in the same direction against Verona, especially considering that in their last 20 Serie A matches at home against Verona, Napoli have not lost once — 15 wins and five draws. In addition, Verona have collected all three points away from home only against Fiorentina in this championship. Paradoxically, injuries to key players — De Bruyne above all — forced Conte to change his tactical setup, returning to a three-man defensive line and reshuffling the midfield. In their new roles, several players who had been in deep crisis have been revitalised — from Di Lorenzo and Politano, through McTominay, to Neres and Højlund.

Napoli push full throttle - Lazio crushed without a hitch

One should also add Conte’s decision to place his trust in Juan Jesus and move Buongiorno to the bench. Coincidence or not, with the Brazilian in the defensive line Napoli have not conceded a single goal. Still, it is possible that Buongiorno will start against Verona, as Conte, like Chivu, is considering resting a few players for the match against Inter. Of course, due to the large number of absentees, his room for manoeuvre in terms of rotation is very limited. After two consecutive wins against Atalanta and Fiorentina, Verona suffered two defeats to Milan and Torino, and weaknesses in both the defensive and offensive lines have once again come to the surface.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 19

Tuesday

Pisa - Como 0-3 (0-0)

/Perrone 68, Douvikas 76, 90+6 pen/

Lecce - Roma 0-2 (0-1)

/Ferguson 14, Dovbyk 71/

Sassuolo - Juventus 0-3 (0-1)

/Muharemovic 16 og, Miretti 62, David 63/

Wednesday

20.30: (2.80) Bologna (3.25) Atalanta (2.60)

20.30: (1.35) Napoli (4.60) Verona (10.5)

22.45: (2.45) Lazio (3.30) Fiorentina (3.20)

22.45: (9.00) Parma (5.00) Inter (1.40)

22.45: (2.40) Torino (3.25) Udinese (3.30)

Thursday

20.30: (2.45) Cremonese (3.15) Cagliari (3.05)

22.45: (1.43) Milan (4.30) Genoa (8.00)

***odds are subject to change***