Napoli travel to Sardinia on Sunday evening to face Cagliari as Serie A action resumes after the international break. The visitors will be looking to build on their dramatic victory before the pause, while the hosts are still searching for their first win of the season.
Antonio Conte’s Napoli side staged a remarkable comeback in their last outing, scoring twice in stoppage time to defeat Parma 2-1. New signing Romelu Lukaku opened his account for the club with the equalizer before Frank Anguissa headed home the winner. The victory helped erase memories of their opening day loss to Hellas Verona and gave Conte his second straight win since taking charge.
Cagliari, meanwhile, are winless in their first three matches under new manager Davide Nicola. They opened the campaign with back-to-back draws before falling 1-0 to Lecce last time out, despite playing with a man advantage for the entire second half.
The hosts have struggled against Napoli in recent years, winning just one of their last 26 meetings. Their most recent home victory over the Partenopei came back in 2009. However, the teams did play out a 1-1 draw when they last met in Sardinia in February.
Team News
Napoli will be boosted by the likely availability of star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is expected to start despite picking up a knock on international duty. Lukaku should lead the line after being rested by Belgium, with either David Neres or Matteo Politano completing the attack. New midfield signings Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay could make their debuts off the bench.
For Cagliari, Matteo Prati is doubtful with an ankle injury, which could see former Napoli player Gianluca Gaetano start in midfield. Up front, Roberto Piccoli is set to partner Zito Luvumbo, who has been the team’s most productive attacker over the past year.
Expected Starting XI’s
Cagliari: Scuffet; Zappa, Mina, Luperto; Zortea, Gaetano, Marin, Deiola, Augello; Luvumbo, Piccoli
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Mazzocchi, Lobotka, Anguissa, Olivera; Neres, Kvaratskhelia; Lukaku
