Napoli welcome Roma to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Serie A’s eighth round, with the fixture bringing together two sides seeking to give greater shape to their early-season ambitions. Napoli arrive after a Champions League win over Bodo/Glimt, while Roma remain unbeaten in the league under Gian Piero Gasperini.
Napoli look for another step forward
Massimiliano Allegri has kept faith with a side built around experience in midfield and pace across the front line as Napoli aim to follow their European result with another important domestic performance.
- Alex Meret starts in goal.
- Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Benoit Badiashile, Rafa Marín and Mathías Olivera form the defensive unit.
- Frank Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay make up the midfield three.
- Matteo Politano and Noa Lang support central forward Rasmus Hojlund.
The match offers Napoli an opportunity to turn the confidence from their Bodo/Glimt victory into league continuity, with Allegri looking for confirmation that his team can carry momentum from one competition into the next.
Roma defend an unbeaten league start
Roma travel south without a Serie A defeat so far this season. Gasperini’s selection places Pierluigi Gollini in goal, behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka and Mario Hermoso.
- Devyne Rensch and Wesley operate on the flanks.
- Bryan Cristante and Matías Soulé play behind Donyell Malen.
- Marten de Roon and Niccolò Pisilli are chosen in the centre of midfield.
For Roma, the evening in Naples is another test of an unbeaten beginning rather than merely a chance to protect it. Gasperini’s side face opponents encouraged by their European night and supported by a demanding home crowd at the Maradona.
The teams at the Maradona
Napoli
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Badiashile, Marín, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Lang. Coach: Allegri.
Roma
Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Cristante; Malen. Coach: Gasperini.
